As extreme heat rises, Governor Newsom blocks bill to protect California farmworkers
As extreme heat rises, Governor Newsom blocks bill to protect California farmworkers
Gov. Newsom blocks legislation to make it easier for California farmworkers to file workers’ comp claims for heat illness.
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"In his veto message, Newsom wrote the enforcement of heat safety rules should be done only by the state’s workplace safety agency, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) and not be determined by the workers’ compensation system."
So the company pays a "fee" for working people possibly to death and the workers get to spend more recovery time undoubtedly filling out lots of paperwork and making a dozen calls? Bold move Cotton.
No, he's saying the law has issues, and was unnecessary because Cal/OSHA already does this. The biggest issue with the language in this bill is that it removes the regulators from the loop to enforce issues, and puts the honus on the employer, which creates a problem. Basically, the if a worker makes a claim, then the employer would have to prove it wasn't their fault, and not OSHA as it is now. It creates a loophole that will certainly be abused on all sides.
This article actually goes into it more: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-28/gavin-newsom-vetoes-bill-intended-to-enforce-heat-safety-rules-for-california-farmworkers