Employment of minors: training on sexual harassment.
If enacted, AB 2961 will alter the process and requirements involved in the employment of minors in California. By requiring explicit acknowledgment of sexual harassment training in the work permit documentation, the legislation seeks to enhance the safety and awareness of young workers. The inclusion of training in the language understood by the minor is a notable feature of the bill, aiming to ensure that all minors can engage meaningfully with the material, regardless of their primary language.
Assembly Bill 2961, introduced by Assembly Member Addis, aims to amend Section 49163 of the Education Code regarding the employment of minors. The bill mandates that any notification of intent to employ a minor must include a certification verifying that the minor has completed a mandatory training on sexual harassment prevention, retaliation, and reporting resources. This training is to be conducted using an online course made available by the Civil Rights Department or other specified training materials. The certification must be provided by the minor's parent or legal guardian.
General sentiment surrounding AB 2961 appears to reflect a supportive attitude towards increasing the protections for minors in workplaces, especially in light of growing awareness about workplace harassment. Proponents advocate for the necessity of such training to foster safe working environments for young individuals. However, there may be potential concerns from employers regarding the administrative burden of ensuring compliance with these new training requirements.
Notably, the bill stipulates that no state reimbursement will be required for local agencies or school districts for costs associated with this training mandate, which may raise questions regarding the financial implications for those entities responsible for implementing the new requirements. Critics of the bill might argue that placing additional training requirements could complicate the hiring process for minors and could hinder their opportunities for work.