by Brett Strauss, Esq.
SB 553, also known as the Community Protection Act, was signed into law during the 2023 legislative session. It is a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at addressing various aspects of community safety and well-being. Introduced in response to rising concerns about public safety, the bill encompasses a wide range of measures intended to enhance security, prevent crime, and foster healthier communities.
The passage of SB 553 has significant implications for communities across the state of California. The bill represents a proactive approach to addressing public safety concerns, providing law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to keep communities safe, to name a few.
The bill requires employers to establish a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) as an addition to their injury and illness prevention program (IIPP), document incidents of workplace violence, and train employees on how to identify workplace violence hazards by July 1, 2024. (Notable exceptions include hospitals, other health-care facilities, as well as service categories and operation covered by Section 3342 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, which are carved out because they’re already covered under other workplace violence prevention legislation, Cal OSHA’s Violence Prevention in Health Care standards.)
Employers are required to provide training when their workplace violence prevention plans are first established and annually thereafter. Employers are expected to ensure that employees are trained by July 1, 2024.
In short, the WVPP includes prohibiting employee retaliation, accepting and responding to reports of workplace violence, employee workplace violence training and communication.
If an employer fails any of SB 553’s requirements, it may face fines from $18,000 (initially) to $25,000 per violation. Businesses with fewer than 10 California employees are exempt from SB 553.
Southland Data Processing’s SDP – HR division provides HR guidance, audit reviews and can assist organizations with implementing and managing SB 533 compliance. We’ve helped many businesses transform their organization for the better, and within regulatory compliance guidelines. Contact us for a complimentary consultation and to learn how to get started with implementing a flexible workplace strategy.
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*Southland Data Processing, Inc. (“SDP”) is not a law firm. This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in reaching a conclusion in a particular area of law. Applicability of the legal principles discussed may differ substantially in individual situations. Receipt of this or any other SDP materials does not create an attorney-client relationship. SDP is not responsible for any inadvertent errors that may occur in the publishing process.