SB 951: Employment: technological displacement: notice.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act (Cal/WARN Act), prohibits an employer from ordering a mass layoff, relocation, or termination at a covered establishment unless, 60 days before the order takes effect, the employer gives written notice of the order to the employees affected by the order and to the Employment Development Department and certain local officials. Existing law makes an employer who fails to give specified notice regarding a mass layoff, relocation, or termination subject to a civil penalty of not more than $500 for each day of the employer’s violation.

This bill would revise the Cal/WARN Act to also require an employer giving notice of a mass layoff, relocation, or termination caused in whole or in substantial part by an artificial intelligence (AI) system or other automated technology replacing or automating employment positions to include certain information in the notice, including the job functions performed by workers that will be automated by AI or other automated technology. The bill would require the department to publish a summary of the notices received on its internet website and to post a quarterly statewide summary of technological displacements reported. The bill would require the department, on or before January 1, 2028, to submit a report to the Legislature on artificial intelligence’s effects on business hiring practices, including its impact on industries and occupations at the state and regional level. The bill would repeal the provision requiring that report on January 1, 2029.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 3

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 30, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 860, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 30, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. September 9, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. August 31, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 29. Noes 10.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 31, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
6. August 31, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 56. Noes 15. Page 6980.) Ordered to the Senate.
7. August 21, 2026Ordered to third reading.
8. August 21, 2026Read third time and amended.
9. August 21, 2026Assembly Rule 69(b)(1) suspended. (Ayes 55. Noes 17. Page 6296.)
10. August 17, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
11. August 13, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
12. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 10. Noes 3.) (August 13).