SB 931 Summary

• Prohibits employers from taking adverse employment actions (discipline, termination, demotion, wage/hour reduction, etc.) against employees absent from work during a COVID-19 emergency declaration for specified reasons.

• Protects employees self-isolating or quarantining due to COVID-19 symptoms, elevated health risk, medical diagnosis-seeking, recent contact with confirmed cases, or reasonable workplace fear.

• Protects employees absent to care for family members or dependents self-isolating/quarantining for COVID-19-related reasons, or due to closure of schools, day care, nursing homes, or other care facilities.

• Protects employees absent due to lack of safe transportation to work during the emergency.

• Prohibits retaliation against employees who oppose violations, file actions, or participate as witnesses; provides for civil lawsuits with damages of at least $5,000 plus attorney fees for prevailing plaintiffs.