California Assembly Bill AB1977 Latest Draft

 BILL NUMBER: AB 1977AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 5, 2010 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Cook FEBRUARY 17, 2010 An act  relating to the Department of Industrial Relations   to add Section 55.5 to the Labor Code, relating to employment  . LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1977, as amended, Cook. Department of Industrial Relations: ombudsman. Existing law establishes the Department of Industrial Relations and charges that agency with  , among other things,  the responsibility  for administering the state plan for the development and enforcement of occupational safety and health standards   to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners of California, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment  .  The work of the department is divided into divisions, among which are the Divisions of Labor Standards Enforcement, Workers' Compensation, and Occupational Safety and   Health.  This bill would  state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation establishing an ombudsman within the department in order to facilitate the resolution of labor-law issues   authorize the Director of   Industrial Relations to appoint an Ombudsman for Small Business to be charged with providing information and assistance to small businesses in California that have difficulties in dealing with complex matters involving the Divisions of Labor Standards Enforcement, Workers' Compensation, and Occupational Safety and Health  . Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no   yes  . State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   Section 55.5 is added to the   Labor Code   , to read:   55.5. (a) The director may appoint an Ombudsman for Small Business to be charged with providing information and assistance to small businesses in California that have difficulties in dealing with complex matters involving the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Division of Workers' Compensation, and the Division of Occupational Safety and Health. (b) The duties of the ombudsman shall include the following: (1) Helping to disseminate information about upcoming regulations and other pertinent matters to small businesses. (2) Referring small businesses to the appropriate specialists in state government and elsewhere for help with particular needs. (3) Working with personnel of the department and divisions to enhance their understanding of small businesses when they develop and enforce workplace regulations.   SECTION 1.   It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation establishing an ombudsman within the Department of Industrial Relations in order to facilitate the resolution of labor-law issues.