Employment protections: victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

(1) Existing law provides protections to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and prohibits employers from taking adverse employment action against victims of domestic violence and sexual assault who take time off from work to attend to issues arising as a result of the domestic violence or sexual assault, as long as the employee complies with certain conditions. Existing law provides that employers who violate these provisions are guilty of a misdemeanor. This bill would extend these protections to victims of stalking. The bill would also prohibit an employer from discharging or in any manner discriminating or retaliating against an employee because of the employee's known status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and require the employer to provide reasonable accommodations for such a victim. Because a violation of the bill's requirements under certain circumstances would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.