Bill Text: CA AB1977 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Department of Industrial Relations: ombudsman.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-04-21 - In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. [AB1977 Detail]

Download: California-2009-AB1977-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 1977	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 5, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Cook

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2010

   An act  relating to the Department of Industrial Relations
  to add Section 55.5 to the Labor Code, relating to
employment  .



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1977, as amended, Cook. Department of Industrial Relations:
ombudsman.
   Existing law establishes the Department of Industrial Relations
and charges that agency with  , among other things,  the
responsibility  for administering the state plan for the
development and enforcement of occupational safety and health
standards   to foster, promote, and develop the welfare
of the wage earners of California, to improve their working
conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable
employment  .  The work of the department is divided into
divisions, among which are the Divisions of Labor Standards
Enforcement, Workers' Compensation, and Occupational Safety and 
 Health. 
   This bill would  state the intent of the Legislature to
enact legislation establishing an ombudsman within the department in
order to facilitate the resolution of labor-law issues  
authorize the Director of   Industrial Relations to appoint
an Ombudsman for Small Business to be charged with providing
information and assistance to small businesses in California that
have difficulties in dealing with complex matters involving the
Divisions of Labor Standards Enforcement, Workers' Compensation, and
Occupational Safety and Health  .
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    Section 55.5 is added to the  
Labor Code   , to read:  
   55.5.  (a) The director may appoint an Ombudsman for Small
Business to be charged with providing information and assistance to
small businesses in California that have difficulties in dealing with
complex matters involving the Division of Labor Standards
Enforcement, the Division of Workers' Compensation, and the Division
of Occupational Safety and Health.
   (b) The duties of the ombudsman shall include the following:
   (1) Helping to disseminate information about upcoming regulations
and other pertinent matters to small businesses.
   (2) Referring small businesses to the appropriate specialists in
state government and elsewhere for help with particular needs.
   (3) Working with personnel of the department and divisions to
enhance their understanding of small businesses when they develop and
enforce workplace regulations.  
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation establishing an ombudsman within the Department
of Industrial Relations in order to facilitate the resolution of
labor-law issues.