While most of California’s revised and expanded crime victims’ leave requirements took effect on January 1, 2025, the notice provision didn’t go into effect until the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) created and published a model notice for employers. And on July 1, 2025, the CRD posted the new notice — Survivors of Violence and Family Members of Victims Rights Leave and Accommodations — meaning employers are required to comply with this notice requirement starting July 1.
Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2499, a bill that expanded and revised California’s crime victims leave provisions on January 1, 2025. As previously reported, the bill broadened the definition of “victim” under the law and allowed, under certain circumstances, employees to take leave when their family members are victims of violence, not just themselves. It also requires employers to provide employees with written notice of their rights under the law.
The notice provides information to employees about their protections and rights under the California’s crime victims’ leave law, including:
- Ability to take time off work to serve on a jury, appear in court as a witness, or as a victim — or having a family member that is a victim — of violence.
- Confidentiality for victims.
- Reasonable accommodation for safety.
- Retaliation and discrimination protections.
- Potential eligibility for wage replacement benefits and leave under other laws such as the California Family Rights Act and California’s bereavement leave law.
Employers must provide this new model notice as follows:
- To employees upon hire;
- To all employees annually;
- At any time upon request; and
- Any time an employee informs an employer that the employee or employee’s family member is a victim.
Employers should download and review the CRD’s new model notice, which has been translated into 15 languages. Employers should also ensure that the notice is available to employees and incorporated into new hire paperwork, as well as train their HR personnel and managers on employees’ rights under the law.
The CalChamber store also offers the new model notice as a convenient pamphlet in English and Spanish — either as a standalone pack of 20 or as part of a pamphlet bundle.
James W. Ward, J.D., Employment Law Subject Matter Expert/Legal Writer and Editor, CalChamber
CalChamber members can read more about the Required Notice in the HR Library. Not a member? See how CalChamber can help you.
