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AB-1643 Labor and Workforce Development Agency: heat: advisory committee study.(2021-2022)

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Date Published: 09/09/2022 09:00 PM
AB1643:v92#DOCUMENT

Assembly Bill No. 1643
CHAPTER 263

An act to add and repeal Section 15562.5 of the Government Code, relating to state government.

[ Approved by Governor  September 09, 2022. Filed with Secretary of State  September 09, 2022. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1643, Robert Rivas. Labor and Workforce Development Agency: heat: advisory committee study.
Existing law establishes the Labor and Workforce Development Agency under the supervision of an executive officer known as the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development. Existing law requires the secretary to perform specified duties, including advising the Governor with respect to establishing major policy and program matters affecting each department, office, or other unit within the agency. Existing law authorizes officers or employees within the agency to exercise powers designated to them by the secretary.
This bill would require the agency, on or before July 1, 2023, to establish an advisory committee to study and evaluate the effects of heat on California’s workers, businesses, and the economy. The bill would require the committee to meet to recommend the scope of a study to the agency. The bill would require the advisory committee, in considering the effects of heat on California’s workers, businesses, and the economy, recommend a study that addresses prescribed topics relating to data collection, certain economic losses, injuries and illnesses, and methods of minimizing the effect of heat on workers. The bill would require the advisory committee to be composed of specified representatives from state agencies, labor and business entities, and academia. The bill would authorize the advisory committee to contract with academic institutions or other researchers to complete its work. The bill would require the advisory committee to issue a report of its findings to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2026. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2027.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 15562.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:

15562.5.
 (a) (1) On or before July 1, 2023, the agency shall establish an advisory committee to study and evaluate the effects of heat on California’s workers, businesses, and the economy.
(2) The advisory committee shall meet to recommend the scope of a study to the agency. The committee shall meet at least once after the study is complete.
(3) In considering the effects of heat on California’s workers, businesses, and the economy, the advisory committee shall recommend a study that addresses some or all of the following topics:
(A) How to improve data collection regarding worker injuries, illnesses, or deaths as well as losses to businesses and the economy to more accurately capture those traceable to heat.
(B) Time away from work and lost wages due to heat.
(C) The frequency at which different types of occupational injuries and illnesses occur at given temperatures and humidity levels, including injuries and illnesses not directly attributable to heat exposure.
(D) Underreporting of heat illnesses and injuries covered by workers’ compensation, especially among low-income employees, including the underreporting of occupational heat exposure with effects on workers after their shifts.
(E) Evidence-based methods of minimizing the effect of heat on workers.
(4) The committee shall be composed of the following members:
(A) The Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, or their designee.
(B) One representative from, and appointed by, the Department of Industrial Relations.
(C) One representative from, and appointed by, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
(D) One representative from, and appointed by, the Employment Development Department.
(E) One representative from, and appointed by, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.
(F) One representative from, and appointed by, the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
(G) One representative from the Climate Change and Health Equity Section, within and appointed by the State Department of Public Health.
(H) One representative appointed by the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, from a labor union, who has demonstrated expertise in high heat-related exposure.
(I) One representative appointed by the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, from a business, who has demonstrated expertise in high heat-related exposure.
(J) Three scholars, including at least one economist, appointed by the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, who have demonstrated expertise in high heat-related exposure.
(K) One representative from, and appointed by, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
(b) The advisory committee may contract with academic institutions or other researchers to complete its work.
(c) (1) The advisory committee shall issue and submit a report of its findings to the Legislature, including, but not limited to, the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee and the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, no later than January 1, 2026.
(2) The report required pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.
(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.