California SB 553: What Churches and Nonprofits Need to Know

California SB 553: What Churches and Nonprofits Need to Know

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Senate Bill 553, signed into California law on September 30, 2023, mandates a comprehensive approach to workplace violence prevention for nearly all employers within the state. The bill requires the development and implementation of detailed Workplace Violence Prevention Plans (WVPPs) tailored to the specific hazards of each work area and operation. Employers are required to adopt a workplace violence prevention plan by July 1st, 2024.

Who Does the Bill Apply to?

The bill applies to all California workplaces, including churches and nonprofit organizations with employees. The bill doesn’t draw any distinction between religious organizations and other types of organizations. 

Are There Any Exceptions?

Certain small employers may be exempt based on meeting all three criteria: 

  1. There are fewer than 10 employees at the workplace at any given time.
  2. The workplace is not accessible to the public. The statute does not clarify what counts as ‘accessibility’ in this scenario. 
  3. The employer complies with the Injury and Illness Prevention Plan and the Cal/OSHA regulations found in the California Code of Regulations.

All three elements must apply for an organization to be exempt.

What are Organizations Required to Do to Comply?

To comply, employers need to develop a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan that is accessible to employees and provides clear procedures for reporting and responding to incidents of workplace violence. The plan must include training for employees on the specifics of the WVPP, how to report incidents, and how to respond to workplace violence. Employers are also required to maintain a log of all workplace violence incidents and ensure the plan is reviewed and updated annually​. 

Cal/OSHA released an example Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) for SB 553 in February 2024. This may be a helpful template for your organization to utilize, though the bill makes it clear that employers are not required to use the model plan: “Employers are not required to use this model WVPP. They may create their own, use another WVPP template, or incorporate workplace violence prevention into their existing Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) as a separate section.” You can download a copy of the example plan here

How Churches and Nonprofits Should Proceed

  1. Determine if you are required to comply with the bill and adopt a workplace violence prevention plan
  2. Develop and adopt a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan by July 1st, 2024. 
  3. Seek legal advice if needed

Further Resources

Good Shepherd Bookkeeping Solutions, LLC recommends that organizations consult with a legal attorney for further guidance.

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