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Bill

Bill

SB 513

Personnel records.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by María Elena Durazo and 2 co-sponsors

SB 513 requires California employers to provide employees greater access to their personnel records and copies within specified timeframes, strengthening worker protections and employment transparency.

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 654, Statutes of 2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 513

Legislative bill overview

SB 513 expands California employees' rights to access and obtain copies of their personnel records held by employers. The bill clarifies what documents must be made available, the timeline for providing access, and the conditions under which employers can charge fees for copies.

Why is this important

Personnel records access is critical for workers to verify employment history, challenge inaccurate information that could affect future employment, and document potential wage violations or discrimination. This law strengthens employee protections by establishing clearer standards that previously varied significantly by employer interpretation.

Potential points of contention

  • Burden on small employers: Compliance costs for retrieving, organizing, and copying records, particularly for smaller businesses with limited HR infrastructure
  • Privacy and legal concerns: Balancing employee access rights with employer concerns about protecting confidential information, medical records, or references from third parties
  • Definition scope: Ambiguity over what constitutes a "personnel record" could lead to disputes—whether certain documents like internal evaluations, disciplinary notes, or performance metrics must be disclosed

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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