California 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: In Committee

AB 71 — Employment standards: independent contractors and employees.

Last action — From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Existing law prescribes comprehensive requirements relating to minimum wages, overtime compensation, and standards for working conditions for the protection of employees applicable to an employment relationship. Existing law makes it unlawful for a person or employer to avoid employee status for an individual by voluntarily and knowingly misclassifying that individual as an independent contractor. Existing law authorizes the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to take specified actions against violators of these provisions, authorizes civil penalties, and authorizes the Labor Commissioner to enforce those provisions pursuant to administrative authority or by civil suit. Existing case law establishes a three-part test, known as the "ABC" test, for determining whether a worker is considered an independent contractor for purposes of specified wage orders. Under this test, a worker is properly considered an independent contractor only if the hiring entity establishes; 1) that the worker is free from the control and direction of the hirer in connection with the performance of the work, both under the contract for performance of the work and in fact; 2) that the worker performs work outside the usual course of the hiring entity's business; and 3) that the worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as the work performed for the hiring entity. This bill would, instead, require a determination of whether a person is an employee or an independent contractor to be based on a specific multifactor test, including whether the person to whom service is rendered has the right to control the manner and means of accomplishing the result desired, and other identified factors. The bill would make related, conforming changes.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. Re-referred to Com. on L. & E.

  4. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. & E. Read second time and amended.

  5. Referred to Com. on L. & E.

  6. From printer. May be heard in committee January 3.

  7. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

  • Melendez · Primary
  • Kiley · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 120 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Melendez

Co-sponsors (1)

  • Kiley

Not signed on (120)

120 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 71 do?
Existing law prescribes comprehensive requirements relating to minimum wages, overtime compensation, and standards for working conditions for the protection of employees applicable to an employment relationship. Existing law makes it unlawful for a person or employer to avoid employee status for an individual by voluntarily and knowingly misclassifying that individual as an independent contractor. Existing law authorizes the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to take specified actions against violators of these provisions, authorizes civil penalties, and authorizes the Labor Commissioner to enforce those provisions pursuant to administrative authority or by civil suit. Existing case law establishes a three-part test, known as the "ABC" test, for determining whether a worker is considered an independent contractor for purposes of specified wage orders. Under this test, a worker is properly considered an independent contractor only if the hiring entity establishes; 1) that the worker is free from the control and direction of the hirer in connection with the performance of the work, both under the contract for performance of the work and in fact; 2) that the worker performs work outside the usual course of the hiring entity's business; and 3) that the worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as the work performed for the hiring entity. This bill would, instead, require a determination of whether a person is an employee or an independent contractor to be based on a specific multifactor test, including whether the person to whom service is rendered has the right to control the manner and means of accomplishing the result desired, and other identified factors. The bill would make related, conforming changes.
Who sponsors AB 71?
AB 71 is sponsored by Melendez and Kiley.
What is the current status of AB 71?
This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track AB 71?
Track AB 71 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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