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ARTICLE · 14 SEPTEMBER 2026

California Legislative Update: Which Bills Will Make The Cut?

Seyfarth Shaw LLP
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California's 2026 legislative session concluded with fewer employment bills than in previous years, but several significant measures await Governor Newsom's decision by September 30. Key proposals address automated decision systems in employment, workplace surveillance restrictions, expanded bereavement leave, AI-driven workforce displacement notices, and modifications to last year's controversial "stay-or-pay" legislation.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Kristina Launey
Kristina Launey
Dana D. Howells
Dana D. Howells
Catherine S. Feldman
Catherine S. Feldman
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Seyfarth Synopsis: The California Legislature concluded the second year of its 2024-2026 session on September 1, 2026, and sent the last of its approved bills to Governor Newsom for consideration. The Governor has until September 30 to approve or veto fewer bills than we’ve seen in years, but those that remain will still impact employers in California.

On September 1, 2026, the California Legislature sent the last of its approved bills to Governor Newsom, who has until September 30 to decide which employment bills will become laws effective January 1, 2027 (or earlier as urgency legislation). Quite a bit lighter than in past years, and noticeably free of wage hour or PAGA legislation, the most significant bills for his consideration impacting employers address regulation of employers’ use of automated decision systems, changes to last year’s “stay or pay” law, temporary restraining orders, bereavement leave, and workplace surveillance.

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