Laura Curtis
Laura E. Curtis served as a CalChamber policy advocate from December 2017 to March 4, 2020. She specialized in labor and employment, workers’ compensation, and regulatory reform issues. Before joining the CalChamber policy team, she was a labor and employment attorney counseling clients on subjects including wage-and-hour disputes, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims, and administrative agency compliance. Curtis holds a B.A. in communications with a minor in political science from the University of California, San Diego. She earned a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law, where she worked on the International Law Journal.
Oh, What a Relief It Isn’t – AB 5 and the B2B Exemption
The new law governing independent contracting, AB 5, includes what can be described as a business-to-business (B2B) exemption. But a close examination of the...
Surprising Consequences from California’s Paid Family Leave Program
Paid Family Leave (“PFL”) is a wage replacement program within the short-term disability program, funded through employee payroll deductions and administered by the Employment...
Sweetened Beverage Bill Tabled, Workers’ Comp Bill Falls Short
Two more job killer bills failed to advance this week in the face of strong concern about their negative impacts.
• The author of AB 138...
Assembly Policy Committee to Hear Bills Expanding Leaves of Absence
The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee will consider two California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bills that would add another layer of burdens on employers and...
Senate Policy Committee to Consider Bills Increasing Litigation
Two California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bills that could expose employers to costly litigation will be heard in the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement...
The Fight for Flexibility Continues – Capitol Insider
As the constant buzz about Dynamex continues around the State Capitol, we repeatedly hear about how employees can have the same flexible work schedules...
Assembly Committee to Consider CalChamber-Opposed Labor/Employment Bills
Three California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bills that could cause confusion, expand employer liability and increase litigation will be considered in the Assembly Labor and...
Assembly Committee to Hold Informational Hearing on Dynamex Today
The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee today will hold an informational hearing on the decision issued last April by the California Supreme Court that...
Groundhog Day at the Capitol
The reintroduction of several bills from last year sure makes it feel like “Groundhog Day” at the State Capitol. Even though we still have...
SB 1300 Expands FEHA Litigation
Last fall, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed SB 1300 (Jackson; D-Santa Barbara), a comprehensive bill that makes several changes in the law for litigating...
When is Enough Enough??
We often hear from our members that the California Legislature churns out too many new laws each year and the 2019 Legislative Session is...
On-Demand Jobs Provide Relief to Government Workers – Capitol Insider
Business Insider reported that federal employees are seeking alternative work opportunities, including driving for Uber because of the federal government shutdown . The partial...
Capitol Insider – Here We Go Again
Deja vu? Actually, yes. With Governor Brown’s departure and Gavin Newsom’s inauguration on January 7th, we expect numerous instances of bills being...
Agency Proceeds with Regulatory Amendments, Despite Employer Concerns
Despite concerns raised by a California Chamber of Commerce-led coalition that proposed regulations regarding harassment and discrimination prevention and training will cause legal inconsistencies,...
CalChamber-Led Coalition Continues to Seek Changes to Confusing Regulations
The California Chamber of Commerce continues to seek technical changes to state regulations proposed to implement the New Parent Leave Act (NPLA) and the...
Sincerely, the Legislature
All I can say is, what a year! It was filled with twists and turns that no one was really expecting. In the ever...
CalChamber-Led Coalition: Overly Broad, Confusing Regulations Will Make It Difficult for Employers to Comply
The California Chamber of Commerce is leading a coalition seeking technical changes to state regulations proposed to implement two laws that went into effect...
Two Employment-Related Bills Headed to Governor’s Desk; CalChamber Urges Vetoes
Two California Chamber of Commerce-opposed employment-related bills that deal with harassment and discrimination claims, and create other legal predicaments for California companies have passed...
Job Killer Update: Employment-Related Bill Amended and Removed from List
A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bill dealing with harassment and discrimination claims has been removed from the job killer list.
SB 1300 (Jackson; D-Santa Barbara)...
CalChamber Urges Agency to Withdraw Proposed Regulatory Amendments
In a comment letter last week, the California Chamber of Commerce and other employer groups urged the Fair Employment and Housing Council to withdraw...