CA AB858

Extends California's COVID-19 displaced worker rehiring and retention protections from December 31, 2025 to January 1, 2027

Requires employers in hotels, airports, event centers, and building services to offer available job positions to laid-off employees who worked 6+ months and were separated due to COVID-19 pandemic-related reasons since March 4, 2020

Employers must notify laid-off workers of job openings within 5 business days and offer positions based on length of service preference, with workers given 5 business days to accept or decline

Violations occurring on or before December 31, 2026 remain enforceable even after the law's sunset date, with penalties of $100 per affected employee plus $500 per day in liquidated damages

Enforcement remains exclusively with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, with remedies including reinstatement, back pay, and benefits compensation