California's Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Law, SB 553, Takes Effect On July 1, 2024: Three Weeks Until Required Compliance

Effective July 1, 2024, nearly every California employer will be required to implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan with very specific requirements.

Quick Hits

• Effective July 1, 2024, Senate Bill (SB) No. 553 will require virtually every California employer to implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan.
• The new law does not have an implementation grace period.
• The new law applies to most California employers and employees, except corrections facilities, law enforcement agencies, teleworkers, places of employment where there are fewer than ten employees working at a place that is not accessible to the public, and healthcare facilities.

By July 1, 2024, California employers that are required to comply with SB 553 must implement their workplace violence prevention plans, assess and resolve workplace violence hazards, train all employees, and implement investigation and recordkeeping processes. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has issued a fact sheet, but since March 2024 there has been no updated guidance in the form of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Cal/OSHA's workplace violence prevention resources web page.

To help employers meet these new requirements, Ogletree Deakins has developed a variety of informational resources. On Thursday, June 20, 2024, Ogletree Deakins will present a final SB 553 webinar, “California's New Workplace Violence Prevention Law: Are You Ready?,” which will take place from 11:00 a.m. to noon (PDT) / 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (EDT). The speakers, Christopher W. Olmsted and Karen F. Tynan, will discuss what employers need to know to be ready. Register here.

For additional insight into SB 553, Ogletree Deakins has also produced a three-part podcast series:

• “California's Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, Part I: SB 553's History, Coverage, and Definitions”

• “California's Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, Part II: A Deeper Dive Into SB 553”

• “California's Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, Part III: SB 553's Recordkeeping and Training Requirements”

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.