Sen. Cortese Joined Yolo Six Farmworkers in Calling for Greater Compliance with Heat Illness and Injury Regulations

“As a former farmworker, I know first-hand how high the stakes are to one’s health and safety while working under extreme heat weather conditions out in the field. Without heat prevention measures in place, lives have been lost. And despite California’s landmark legislation over 19 years ago adopting and instituting heat prevention solutions in the workplace, nearly 50% of farmworkers today still report their farming employer not complying with existing law,” said Senator Cortese.

“We see this played out in the firing of the Yolo Six who were retaliated against for standing up for their health and safety during a recent heat wave. That is why I introduced Senate Bill 1299 (SB 1299), to bring farming employers into compliance. But more importantly, to save farmworkers’ lives.”

“Farmworkers are a vital part of California’s economy: They work day in and out to put food on our tables.  As the son of parents who fought tirelessly for the rights of farmworkers, I’m proud to co-sponsor SB 1299, which better protects farmworkers who suffer as a result of extreme heat conditions,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “ I’m grateful to Senator Cortese for bringing this much needed legislation. As Attorney General, I remain committed to protecting the rights and safety of farmworkers, and all California workers, in the workplace.”

SB 1299 promotes compliance with existing outdoor heat regulation through a rebuttable presumption for heat-related injury and death. SB 1299 ensures farmworkers who suffer a work-related heat injury, illness or death as a result of working for a noncompliant employer will be treated and compensated expeditiously. SB 1299 does not create any additional workers’ compensation benefit level beyond what is otherwise available under existing workers’ compensation law. Nor does it apply to a compliant employer.