BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 268
                                                                  Page  1

          ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
          AB 268 (Mullin)
          As Introduced February 4, 2003
          Majority vote 

           PUBLIC EMPLOYEES    8-0         APPROPRIATIONS      22-2        
           
           ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
          |Ayes:|Negrete McLeod, Levine,   |Ayes:|Steinberg, Bates, Berg,   |
          |     |Chan, Correa, Kehoe,      |     |Calderon, Corbett, Chu,   |
          |     |Laird, Maldonado,         |     |Daucher, Diaz, Firebaugh, |
          |     |Nakanishi                 |     |Goldberg, Leno,           |
          |     |                          |     |Maldonado, Nation,        |
          |     |                          |     |Negrete McLeod, Nunez,    |
          |     |                          |     |Pacheco, Pavley,          |
          |     |                          |     |Ridley-Thomas, Samuelian, |
          |     |                          |     |Simitian, Laird, Yee      |
          |     |                          |     |                          |
          |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
          |     |                          |Nays:|Haynes, Runner            |
          |     |                          |     |                          |
           ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
           SUMMARY  :  Requires that the training provided to newly appointed  
          state supervisors include training on employment law relating to  
          persons with disabilities.

           EXISTING LAW  requires:

          1)That each newly appointed state supervisorial employee receive  
            a minimum of 80 hours of training, with at least 40 hours of  
            that training to be structured and be provided by a qualified  
            instructor.

          2)The training include subjects such as the role of the  
            supervisor, techniques of supervision, planning, organizing,  
            staffing and controlling, performance standards, performance  
            appraisal, affirmative action, discipline, labor relations,  
            and grievances.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  Unknown

           COMMENTS :  Supporters state that the training required by this  
          bill will "ensure that managers and supervisors are aware of  
          their responsibilities and liability under existing laws and  
          rules that are intended to provide a discrimination free working  








                                                                  AB 268
                                                                  Page  2

          environment for all, but particularly for persons with  
          disabilities."

          Supporters further state, "The California Fair Employment and  
          Housing Act (FEHA) significantly changed the California  
          employment laws.  The result was broader protection for  
          individuals with disabilities, including requiring a timely,  
          good faith, interactive process and imposing individual  
          liability for failure to comply.

          "However, supervisors' and managers' limited or lack of  
          knowledge of the requirements under FEHA has proven to be an  
          ongoing barrier in the work environment for persons with  
          disabilities, resulting in increased discrimination charges and  
          ultimately increased litigation costs to the state.  Without  
          mandating training for managers and supervisors, complaints and  
          lawsuits, and the costs associated with them will likely  
          continue."

          According to the State Personnel Board, a total of 678  
          discrimination complaints were filed in fiscal year 2000, 103 of  
          which were disability related.  The total estimated cost to the  
          state for disability related complaints and suits was $10.5  
          million:  $1.5 million for processing, counseling, and  
          investigating the disability related complaints and $9 million  
          to litigate the 84 cases that were disability related.


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Clem Meredith / P.E., R. & S.S. / (916)  
          319-3957 




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