When the calendar flips to July, some business owners in the state will have to comply with brand new labor code.

California Senate Bill 553, a workplace violence prevention law, will take effect on July 1. It will require California businesses with 10 or more employees to conduct worksite inspections, create a workplace violence plan, and provide specific training and information to each employee. To get local business owners up to date, the City of Turlock and Knowledge Saves Lives, LLC will be hosting a free workshop on Friday.

The workshop, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Carnegie Arts Center, will provide details on each section and mandate of the new Labor Code and the possible citations and fines CAL/OSHA will issue for non-compliance. The informational session is designed for business owners, HR directors, risk managers and others in charge of California Labor Code compliance for their organization. No-cost or low-cost solutions will also be discussed and recommended.

“The goal is to get everyone in the same room and be able to learn what they need to do, ask any questions that they have regarding this new mandate and leave feeling empowered knowing that they're better off and they'll have a plan,” said Knowledge Saves Lives President and CEO Paul Llanez in a video statement earlier this week. “Business owners are going to walk away from this workshop with knowledge on what they can do, what they have to do and how they can best do it and what resources are available to them.”

SB 553 was authored by Senator Dave Cortese (D-15) and co-authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-25). It was introduced in February of 2023 and eventually passed in early September. On Sept. 30, the bill was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Those planning on attending must register at: www.knowledgesaveslives.com/register.