California Labor and Employment Legislation Alert

By the close of his September 30, 2010 deadline, Governor Schwarzenegger signed eight new bills into law that will affect employers doing business in California.  The new laws, which will take effect on January 1, 2011, require employers to provide employees with paid, protected, leave for organ and bone marrow donation, exempt employees in certain occupations covered by a collective bargaining agreement from meal period requirements, and impact OSHA compliance, among other things.  While the Governor deviated slightly from his past practice by approving these incremental changes to laws governing employee rights and employer obligations, the Governor more predictably vetoed legislation that would have served more sweeping labor agendas.