California Residents: Urge Governor Newsom to Veto SB 399

SHRM and the California State Council of SHRM (CalSHRM) request your help in urging Governor Newsom to veto Senate Bill 399, which could chill and stifle open communication and dialogue between California employers and their employees. This legislation advanced out of the California Legislature on August 31, and Governor Newsom has until September 30 to either enact or veto it.

SHRM and CalSHRM appreciate the SHRM advocates who have already contacted their state legislators in opposition to this bill. However, we again need your assistance in persuading Governor Newsom to veto the bill.

SB 399 would prohibit both public and private employers in California from taking adverse employment actions against employees who decline to attend employer-sponsored meetings or participate in, receive, or listen to communications regarding the employer’s opinions on religious or political matters. 

SB 399 also risks creating confusion and legal redundancy, which could unintentionally impose burdensome compliance challenges for HR professionals and employers in California. Existing California laws, as well as federal law under the National Labor Relations Act, already safeguard employees from employer coercion related to political and religious matters. SHRM and CalSHRM are also concerned that this legislation may expose employers to potentially burdensome litigation costs by enabling a private right of action to pursue punitive damage claims.

In June, SHRM and CalSHRM submitted a letter expressing these concerns about SB 399 to California legislators. SHRM and CalSHRM oppose this legislation as drafted, but we believe our expertise can be a valuable resource for finding common ground.

Stay tuned for more updates on this critical workplace issue. If you have any questions about this campaign, please contact SHRM Government Affairs at governmentaffairs@shrm.org.