KCRA 3 News: Lawmaker Pushes for Stronger Agricultural Heat Safety Compliance After Firing of 6 Yolo Farmworkers

More than two months since six Yolo County farmworkers left work on a hot day, costing them their jobs at the farm where they were picking tomatoes, the alleged retaliatory firing of the workers sparked a greater push for Senate Bill 1299.

SB 1299, known as the Farmworker Climate Change Heat Injury and Death Fund, would increase employer compliance with existing heat safety rules and make it easier for workers to make a workers' compensation claim for heat illness.

"There's some worry that there will be a whole bunch of noncompliance claims that go into the workers comp system, but the only thing that farmers have to do to make sure that doesn't happen is provide water and shade and the normal rest periods that they're required," said senator Dave Cortese who represents the 15th Senate District.

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