This edition of The Essentials in US Employment Law coincides with the close of California’s 2026 legislative session and summarizes the most significant employment-related bills enacted this year. We have highlighted key provisions of the new laws taking effect in 2027, including significant developments involving:
SB 947, known as the “No Robo Bosses Act,” establishes new requirements governing employers’ use of automated decision systems (ADS) in employment decisions. Beginning 1 July 2027, employers may not use an ADS to violate applicable labor, employment, workplace safety, or civil rights laws; infer an employee’s protected status under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; or predict and take adverse action against an employee for exercising legal rights. Employers also may not rely solely on an ADS to make disciplinary or termination decisions.
When an employer primarily relies on an ADS to discipline or terminate an employee, a human must review and corroborate the decision using the data underlying the ADS output or other relevant information. The employer must also provide the employee with a written notice disclosing the use of the ADS and the...
Health care entities may be able to pay less than half the steep fines ordinarily associated with False Claims Act (FCA) violations by voluntarily reporting issues under a new pilot program launche...