Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a scaled-down bill into law Sept. 30 requiring employers to develop workplace violence plans amid heightened concern about public safety.
Senate Bill 553—authored by Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose)—originally would have prohibited employers from asking workers to confront shoplifters as part of such plans. California cities have seen a rash of retail thefts by organized groups in the past few years, prompting some backlash from business groups.
