CAL.Regulation
California extends immigration-retaliation ban to rights under federal and local employment law
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2495, by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), on September 29, 2026 (Chapter 748, Statutes of 2026), amending Labor Code section 1019. From January 1, 2027, employers and others may not use unfair immigration-related practices to retaliate against anyone for exercising rights under any local, state or federal employment statute or regulation. Violators face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per employee for each violation.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
Key points
- Chapter 748, Statutes of 2026, amends Labor Code section 1019; with no urgency clause, the changes take effect January 1, 2027.California Legislative Information
- The ban previously covered rights under state labor law and local ordinances; it now reaches any local, state or federal employment statute or regulation.California Legislative Information
- Also bars preventing a person from exercising those rights.California Legislative Information
- Bars any conduct tied to perceived immigration status that would reasonably tend to dissuade a person from exercising those rights.California Legislative Information
- Violators are liable for a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per employee or person for each violation.California Legislative Information
- Newsom signed it on September 29, 2026, as part of a package of bills responding to federal immigration enforcement.Office of the Governor
Sources2 articles across 2 outlets
California Legislative Information
Office of the Governor