CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 578Introduced by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas(Coauthor: Senator Cortese)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Ortega)February 20, 2025 An act to add Division 7 (commencing with Section 11000) to the Labor Code, relating to employment. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 578, as introduced, Smallwood-Cuevas. California Workplace Outreach Program.Existing law establishes the Department of Industrial Relations within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to, among other things, foster, promote, and develop the welfare of wage earners, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment.This bill would require the department, upon appropriation of funds for this purpose, to establish and maintain the California Workplace Outreach Program to promote awareness of, and compliance with, workplace protections that affect workers. The bill would require the department to issue a competitive request for application to qualified organizations, as defined, to provide education and outreach services to workers and to assist workers to assert their workplace rights.This bill would require qualified organizations to consult with the department regarding priority topics for outreach and education and to consult with the department and specified other agencies to create education and outreach materials informing workers of their rights on priority topics and training materials for workers and organizations. The bill would require the materials to be translated into non-English languages, to be determined by each qualified organization in consultation with the department, as appropriate for the geographic region the qualified organization serves. The bill would require the department and qualified organizations to meet at least twice a year to coordinate outreach, education, and enforcement efforts.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Division 7 (commencing with Section 11000) is added to the Labor Code, to read:DIVISION 7. California Workplace Outreach Program11000. (a) The Department of Industrial Relations, upon appropriation of funds to the department for this purpose, shall establish and administer the California Workplace Outreach Program.(b) The purpose of the program shall be to promote awareness of, and compliance with, workplace protections that affect California workers, with a focus on low-wage and high-violation industries.11001. For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Department means the Department of Industrial Relations.(b) Program means the California Workplace Outreach Program.(c) Qualified organization means a nonprofit organization with demonstrated experience in carrying out in-person outreach and education directed at workers in industries and demographic groups deemed by the department or its divisions to be vulnerable to violations of workplace protections.11002. The department shall issue a competitive request for application to qualified organizations to provide education and outreach services to workers and to assist workers to assert their workplace rights. The department may require qualified organizations to participate in training.11003. (a) Qualified organizations shall consult with the department regarding priority topics for outreach and education, which may include, but are not limited to, minimum wage, overtime, paid leave, retaliation, health and safety, excessive heat, discrimination protections, the adjudication processes of the Department of Industrial Relations and the Civil Rights Department, and issues that affect certain low-wage or high-violation industries differently.(b) Qualified organizations shall consult with the Department of Industrial Relations, other departments and divisions of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and the Civil Rights Department to create education and outreach materials informing workers of their rights on priority topics and training materials for workers and organizations. The materials shall be translated into non-English languages, to be determined by each qualified organization in consultation with the department, as appropriate for the geographic region the qualified organization serves. The department may have final approval over the education, outreach, and training materials.11004. The department and qualified organizations shall meet twice a year, or more frequently at the discretion of the department, to coordinate efforts around outreach, education, and enforcement, including sharing information, in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws, that will shape and inform the overall enforcement strategy of the department.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 578Introduced by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas(Coauthor: Senator Cortese)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Ortega)February 20, 2025 An act to add Division 7 (commencing with Section 11000) to the Labor Code, relating to employment. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 578, as introduced, Smallwood-Cuevas. California Workplace Outreach Program.Existing law establishes the Department of Industrial Relations within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to, among other things, foster, promote, and develop the welfare of wage earners, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment.This bill would require the department, upon appropriation of funds for this purpose, to establish and maintain the California Workplace Outreach Program to promote awareness of, and compliance with, workplace protections that affect workers. The bill would require the department to issue a competitive request for application to qualified organizations, as defined, to provide education and outreach services to workers and to assist workers to assert their workplace rights.This bill would require qualified organizations to consult with the department regarding priority topics for outreach and education and to consult with the department and specified other agencies to create education and outreach materials informing workers of their rights on priority topics and training materials for workers and organizations. The bill would require the materials to be translated into non-English languages, to be determined by each qualified organization in consultation with the department, as appropriate for the geographic region the qualified organization serves. The bill would require the department and qualified organizations to meet at least twice a year to coordinate outreach, education, and enforcement efforts.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 578
Introduced by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas(Coauthor: Senator Cortese)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Ortega)February 20, 2025
Introduced by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas(Coauthor: Senator Cortese)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Ortega)
February 20, 2025
An act to add Division 7 (commencing with Section 11000) to the Labor Code, relating to employment.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 578, as introduced, Smallwood-Cuevas. California Workplace Outreach Program.
Existing law establishes the Department of Industrial Relations within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to, among other things, foster, promote, and develop the welfare of wage earners, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment.This bill would require the department, upon appropriation of funds for this purpose, to establish and maintain the California Workplace Outreach Program to promote awareness of, and compliance with, workplace protections that affect workers. The bill would require the department to issue a competitive request for application to qualified organizations, as defined, to provide education and outreach services to workers and to assist workers to assert their workplace rights.This bill would require qualified organizations to consult with the department regarding priority topics for outreach and education and to consult with the department and specified other agencies to create education and outreach materials informing workers of their rights on priority topics and training materials for workers and organizations. The bill would require the materials to be translated into non-English languages, to be determined by each qualified organization in consultation with the department, as appropriate for the geographic region the qualified organization serves. The bill would require the department and qualified organizations to meet at least twice a year to coordinate outreach, education, and enforcement efforts.
Existing law establishes the Department of Industrial Relations within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to, among other things, foster, promote, and develop the welfare of wage earners, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment.
This bill would require the department, upon appropriation of funds for this purpose, to establish and maintain the California Workplace Outreach Program to promote awareness of, and compliance with, workplace protections that affect workers. The bill would require the department to issue a competitive request for application to qualified organizations, as defined, to provide education and outreach services to workers and to assist workers to assert their workplace rights.
This bill would require qualified organizations to consult with the department regarding priority topics for outreach and education and to consult with the department and specified other agencies to create education and outreach materials informing workers of their rights on priority topics and training materials for workers and organizations. The bill would require the materials to be translated into non-English languages, to be determined by each qualified organization in consultation with the department, as appropriate for the geographic region the qualified organization serves. The bill would require the department and qualified organizations to meet at least twice a year to coordinate outreach, education, and enforcement efforts.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Division 7 (commencing with Section 11000) is added to the Labor Code, to read:DIVISION 7. California Workplace Outreach Program11000. (a) The Department of Industrial Relations, upon appropriation of funds to the department for this purpose, shall establish and administer the California Workplace Outreach Program.(b) The purpose of the program shall be to promote awareness of, and compliance with, workplace protections that affect California workers, with a focus on low-wage and high-violation industries.11001. For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Department means the Department of Industrial Relations.(b) Program means the California Workplace Outreach Program.(c) Qualified organization means a nonprofit organization with demonstrated experience in carrying out in-person outreach and education directed at workers in industries and demographic groups deemed by the department or its divisions to be vulnerable to violations of workplace protections.11002. The department shall issue a competitive request for application to qualified organizations to provide education and outreach services to workers and to assist workers to assert their workplace rights. The department may require qualified organizations to participate in training.11003. (a) Qualified organizations shall consult with the department regarding priority topics for outreach and education, which may include, but are not limited to, minimum wage, overtime, paid leave, retaliation, health and safety, excessive heat, discrimination protections, the adjudication processes of the Department of Industrial Relations and the Civil Rights Department, and issues that affect certain low-wage or high-violation industries differently.(b) Qualified organizations shall consult with the Department of Industrial Relations, other departments and divisions of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and the Civil Rights Department to create education and outreach materials informing workers of their rights on priority topics and training materials for workers and organizations. The materials shall be translated into non-English languages, to be determined by each qualified organization in consultation with the department, as appropriate for the geographic region the qualified organization serves. The department may have final approval over the education, outreach, and training materials.11004. The department and qualified organizations shall meet twice a year, or more frequently at the discretion of the department, to coordinate efforts around outreach, education, and enforcement, including sharing information, in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws, that will shape and inform the overall enforcement strategy of the department.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Division 7 (commencing with Section 11000) is added to the Labor Code, to read:DIVISION 7. California Workplace Outreach Program11000. (a) The Department of Industrial Relations, upon appropriation of funds to the department for this purpose, shall establish and administer the California Workplace Outreach Program.(b) The purpose of the program shall be to promote awareness of, and compliance with, workplace protections that affect California workers, with a focus on low-wage and high-violation industries.11001. For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Department means the Department of Industrial Relations.(b) Program means the California Workplace Outreach Program.(c) Qualified organization means a nonprofit organization with demonstrated experience in carrying out in-person outreach and education directed at workers in industries and demographic groups deemed by the department or its divisions to be vulnerable to violations of workplace protections.11002. The department shall issue a competitive request for application to qualified organizations to provide education and outreach services to workers and to assist workers to assert their workplace rights. The department may require qualified organizations to participate in training.11003. (a) Qualified organizations shall consult with the department regarding priority topics for outreach and education, which may include, but are not limited to, minimum wage, overtime, paid leave, retaliation, health and safety, excessive heat, discrimination protections, the adjudication processes of the Department of Industrial Relations and the Civil Rights Department, and issues that affect certain low-wage or high-violation industries differently.(b) Qualified organizations shall consult with the Department of Industrial Relations, other departments and divisions of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and the Civil Rights Department to create education and outreach materials informing workers of their rights on priority topics and training materials for workers and organizations. The materials shall be translated into non-English languages, to be determined by each qualified organization in consultation with the department, as appropriate for the geographic region the qualified organization serves. The department may have final approval over the education, outreach, and training materials.11004. The department and qualified organizations shall meet twice a year, or more frequently at the discretion of the department, to coordinate efforts around outreach, education, and enforcement, including sharing information, in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws, that will shape and inform the overall enforcement strategy of the department.
SECTION 1. Division 7 (commencing with Section 11000) is added to the Labor Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
DIVISION 7. California Workplace Outreach Program11000. (a) The Department of Industrial Relations, upon appropriation of funds to the department for this purpose, shall establish and administer the California Workplace Outreach Program.(b) The purpose of the program shall be to promote awareness of, and compliance with, workplace protections that affect California workers, with a focus on low-wage and high-violation industries.11001. For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Department means the Department of Industrial Relations.(b) Program means the California Workplace Outreach Program.(c) Qualified organization means a nonprofit organization with demonstrated experience in carrying out in-person outreach and education directed at workers in industries and demographic groups deemed by the department or its divisions to be vulnerable to violations of workplace protections.11002. The department shall issue a competitive request for application to qualified organizations to provide education and outreach services to workers and to assist workers to assert their workplace rights. The department may require qualified organizations to participate in training.11003. (a) Qualified organizations shall consult with the department regarding priority topics for outreach and education, which may include, but are not limited to, minimum wage, overtime, paid leave, retaliation, health and safety, excessive heat, discrimination protections, the adjudication processes of the Department of Industrial Relations and the Civil Rights Department, and issues that affect certain low-wage or high-violation industries differently.(b) Qualified organizations shall consult with the Department of Industrial Relations, other departments and divisions of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and the Civil Rights Department to create education and outreach materials informing workers of their rights on priority topics and training materials for workers and organizations. The materials shall be translated into non-English languages, to be determined by each qualified organization in consultation with the department, as appropriate for the geographic region the qualified organization serves. The department may have final approval over the education, outreach, and training materials.11004. The department and qualified organizations shall meet twice a year, or more frequently at the discretion of the department, to coordinate efforts around outreach, education, and enforcement, including sharing information, in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws, that will shape and inform the overall enforcement strategy of the department.
DIVISION 7. California Workplace Outreach Program11000. (a) The Department of Industrial Relations, upon appropriation of funds to the department for this purpose, shall establish and administer the California Workplace Outreach Program.(b) The purpose of the program shall be to promote awareness of, and compliance with, workplace protections that affect California workers, with a focus on low-wage and high-violation industries.11001. For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Department means the Department of Industrial Relations.(b) Program means the California Workplace Outreach Program.(c) Qualified organization means a nonprofit organization with demonstrated experience in carrying out in-person outreach and education directed at workers in industries and demographic groups deemed by the department or its divisions to be vulnerable to violations of workplace protections.11002. The department shall issue a competitive request for application to qualified organizations to provide education and outreach services to workers and to assist workers to assert their workplace rights. The department may require qualified organizations to participate in training.11003. (a) Qualified organizations shall consult with the department regarding priority topics for outreach and education, which may include, but are not limited to, minimum wage, overtime, paid leave, retaliation, health and safety, excessive heat, discrimination protections, the adjudication processes of the Department of Industrial Relations and the Civil Rights Department, and issues that affect certain low-wage or high-violation industries differently.(b) Qualified organizations shall consult with the Department of Industrial Relations, other departments and divisions of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and the Civil Rights Department to create education and outreach materials informing workers of their rights on priority topics and training materials for workers and organizations. The materials shall be translated into non-English languages, to be determined by each qualified organization in consultation with the department, as appropriate for the geographic region the qualified organization serves. The department may have final approval over the education, outreach, and training materials.11004. The department and qualified organizations shall meet twice a year, or more frequently at the discretion of the department, to coordinate efforts around outreach, education, and enforcement, including sharing information, in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws, that will shape and inform the overall enforcement strategy of the department.
DIVISION 7. California Workplace Outreach Program
DIVISION 7. California Workplace Outreach Program
11000. (a) The Department of Industrial Relations, upon appropriation of funds to the department for this purpose, shall establish and administer the California Workplace Outreach Program.(b) The purpose of the program shall be to promote awareness of, and compliance with, workplace protections that affect California workers, with a focus on low-wage and high-violation industries.
11000. (a) The Department of Industrial Relations, upon appropriation of funds to the department for this purpose, shall establish and administer the California Workplace Outreach Program.
(b) The purpose of the program shall be to promote awareness of, and compliance with, workplace protections that affect California workers, with a focus on low-wage and high-violation industries.
11001. For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Department means the Department of Industrial Relations.(b) Program means the California Workplace Outreach Program.(c) Qualified organization means a nonprofit organization with demonstrated experience in carrying out in-person outreach and education directed at workers in industries and demographic groups deemed by the department or its divisions to be vulnerable to violations of workplace protections.
11001. For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:
(a) Department means the Department of Industrial Relations.
(b) Program means the California Workplace Outreach Program.
(c) Qualified organization means a nonprofit organization with demonstrated experience in carrying out in-person outreach and education directed at workers in industries and demographic groups deemed by the department or its divisions to be vulnerable to violations of workplace protections.
11002. The department shall issue a competitive request for application to qualified organizations to provide education and outreach services to workers and to assist workers to assert their workplace rights. The department may require qualified organizations to participate in training.
11002. The department shall issue a competitive request for application to qualified organizations to provide education and outreach services to workers and to assist workers to assert their workplace rights. The department may require qualified organizations to participate in training.
11003. (a) Qualified organizations shall consult with the department regarding priority topics for outreach and education, which may include, but are not limited to, minimum wage, overtime, paid leave, retaliation, health and safety, excessive heat, discrimination protections, the adjudication processes of the Department of Industrial Relations and the Civil Rights Department, and issues that affect certain low-wage or high-violation industries differently.(b) Qualified organizations shall consult with the Department of Industrial Relations, other departments and divisions of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and the Civil Rights Department to create education and outreach materials informing workers of their rights on priority topics and training materials for workers and organizations. The materials shall be translated into non-English languages, to be determined by each qualified organization in consultation with the department, as appropriate for the geographic region the qualified organization serves. The department may have final approval over the education, outreach, and training materials.
11003. (a) Qualified organizations shall consult with the department regarding priority topics for outreach and education, which may include, but are not limited to, minimum wage, overtime, paid leave, retaliation, health and safety, excessive heat, discrimination protections, the adjudication processes of the Department of Industrial Relations and the Civil Rights Department, and issues that affect certain low-wage or high-violation industries differently.
(b) Qualified organizations shall consult with the Department of Industrial Relations, other departments and divisions of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and the Civil Rights Department to create education and outreach materials informing workers of their rights on priority topics and training materials for workers and organizations. The materials shall be translated into non-English languages, to be determined by each qualified organization in consultation with the department, as appropriate for the geographic region the qualified organization serves. The department may have final approval over the education, outreach, and training materials.
11004. The department and qualified organizations shall meet twice a year, or more frequently at the discretion of the department, to coordinate efforts around outreach, education, and enforcement, including sharing information, in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws, that will shape and inform the overall enforcement strategy of the department.
11004. The department and qualified organizations shall meet twice a year, or more frequently at the discretion of the department, to coordinate efforts around outreach, education, and enforcement, including sharing information, in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws, that will shape and inform the overall enforcement strategy of the department.