On Sept. 30, 2026, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several new employment laws affecting artificial intelligence, workplace surveillance, pay data reporting, workplace safety and employment agreements. Most take effect Jan. 1, 2027, with important exceptions noted below.
Key Highlights
AI assisted employment decisions will require greater human oversight. SB 947 limits employers’ reliance on automated systems for discipline and termination, while SB 951 adds disclosure requirements when AI or other automated technology substantially contributes to a covered workforce reduction.
Workplace surveillance technologies face new restrictions. AB 1331 limits surveillance in workplace bathrooms, and AB 1883 limits AI-enabled tools that collect neural data or infer workers’ emotional states.
Several existing compliance obligations now carry new requirements or greater consequences. The new laws affect stay or pay agreements, Cal/OSHA investigations, pay data reporting, discrimination protections,… Read the complete article here...
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