AB 2499 Expands Rights for Workers & their Family Members who are Victims of Crimes

Under California AB 2499, employees can now take protected time off if they are a victim of a wide range of crimes. Prior to the passing of AB 2499, employers were prohibited from terminating, discriminating against, or retaliating against workers because of a worker’s status as a victim of crime or abuse. This included protection for the worker for taking time off to appear as a witness in court for such crime or abuse.

This new law expands the definition of “victim” to include a victim of a “qualifying act of violence,” which includes stalking, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Workers will also be allowed to use state paid sick leave for these purposes and can take protected time off to assist family members who are victims of these crimes.

Employers must inform all employees of their rights under this new bill on an annual basis, inform an employee of these rights any time an employee communicates that the employee or the employee’s family member is a victim, and provide new employees with this information when hired. Employers must also provide reasonable accommodations for an employee who is a victim, or whose family member is a victim, of a qualifying act of violence who requests an accommodation for the safety of the employee while at work.

AB 2499 is effective January 1, 2025. If you have questions about AB 2499 or related issues, contact your labor law counsel.