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ARTICLE · 05 OCTOBER 2026

California Expands Harassment Prevention Training To Address Hate Speech

Jackson Lewis P.C.
Jackson Lewis P.C.
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California employers with five or more employees must provide at least two hours of harassment prevention training to supervisory employees and at least one hour of training to nonsupervisory employees in California every two years. New nonsupervisory employees generally must be trained within six months of hire, and new supervisory employees must be trained within six months of assuming a supervisory position.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Kaitlyn L. Lavaroni
Kaitlyn L. Lavaroni

On September 27, 2026, the Governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1803, which adds a component of anti-hate speech to harassment prevention training requirements.

Existing California Training Requirements

California employers with five or more employees must provide at least two hours of harassment prevention training to supervisory employees and at least one hour of training to nonsupervisory employees in California every two years. New nonsupervisory employees generally must be trained within six months of hire, and new supervisory employees must be trained within six months of assuming a supervisory position.

The required training currently must address sexual harassment, the prevention of abusive conduct, and harassment based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

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