In the Public Sector: Governor Brown Signs Pro-Worker Legislation – Part II
As stated in Part I, although Governor Brown vetoed a number of pro-worker bills recently, he also signed quite a few bills that will benefit workers. SB 1291 extended the expiration date of the California Training Benefits Program (CTB). Under the CTB, unemployed workers can continue receiving unemployment benefits while in school or while training. To be eligible for benefits: (1) there must be no jobs available that require the worker’s current skills; and, (2) the retraining or upgrading of skills must make the workers more employable. Under existing law, CTB was set to expire on January 1, 2015. SB 1291 extends the program to January 1, 2019.
AB 2307 made changes to the Education Code for school districts and community college districts that have adopted a merit system. Under existing law, when a worker in such a district is laid off because of lack of work or lack of funds, they are eligible for reemployment for a period of 39 months. Under AB 2307, if a worker is reemployed in a new position, but fails to complete the probationary period for the new position, the worker will be placed back back on the reemployment list for the remained of the 39 months. The worker will not lose eligibility for the time spent in probation.
The Public Employees’ Retirement Law (PERL) creates the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), which provides a defined benefit pension to its members based upon certain criteria. Under SB 987, all references in the law to “spouse,” “surviving spouse,” or “marriage” will now apply equally to a domestic partner or domestic partnership. As a result, all rights and responsibilities granted to a spouse or surviving spouse under the law will now apply equally to a domestic partner.
Author: Jake White
