California Passes Another Bill Addressing COVID-19 Reporting

In September, 2020, California passed AB 685, which laid out new notification and reporting requirements for California employers dealing with Covid-19 exposure.  Employers may recall that AB 685 authorized Cal/OSHA (California's state OSHA agency) to issue "stop work orders" for workplaces that the agency concluded posed a risk of imminent hazard arising out of Covid-19. 

It also imposed various notice requirements if there is a Covid-19 exposure in the workplace and also requires notice to the local public health agency when there is a determination that there is a Covid-19 outbreak in the workplace.  That law took effect on January 1, 2021.

On October 5, 2021, another piece of legislation (AB 654) was passed by the California legislature clarifying obligations under AB 685 for employers facing potential Covid-19 exposure.  The key points to take away from AB 654 are as follows: