California has passed Senate Bill 513, amending Labor Code Section 1198.5 to expand the definition of personnel records and change how employers must manage them.
Section 1198.5 grants current and former employees the right to inspect and receive a copy of personnel records maintained by their employer relating to the employee’s performance or to any grievance concerning the employee. Employers are required to make the contents of those personnel records available for inspection.
The newly passed amendments clarify that personnel records relating to the employee’s performance include education and training records and would require an employer who maintains education and training records to ensure those records include specified information, including the following:
- Employee’s name
- Training provider’s name
- Duration and date of training
- Core competencies covered, including equipment or software skills
- Resulting certification or qualification
The amendments take effect on January 1, 2026.