September 2019
Harassment Training Deadline Extended For Some California Employers
Certain California employers now have until January 1, 2021 to train employees on sexual harassment prevention -- a one year extension from the original deadline. SB 778 was signed by Governor Newsom earlier this month, and it requires all employees -- supervisory and nonsupervisory -- to be trained by January 1, 2021.

There are certain exemptions. Starting January 1, 2020, employers who hire seasonal and temporary employees who are hired to work for less than six months must provide training within 30 calendar days after their hire date or within 100 hours worked.

This bill was created, and eventually signed by the Governor, to clarify some of the employers' concerns regarding the immediacy of the training requirements in SB 1343. With this new law, employers must train their employees every two years, but will not require employees to be trained twice in a two-year period which would have been required previously.

For more information and a breakdown on deadlines, click here .
The Simi Valley Chamber is making it easy to get ahead of the game and provide training to employees at a discount! To assist employers with this requirement, the Chamber has partnered with CalChamber to offer discounted online sexual harassment prevention training courses to employees. This is an individual, self-paced training (offered in English and Spanish) to complete when it best fits an employee's schedule.

This online training is a convenient and simple way to ensure that your business is in compliance and avoids fines. Train through this Chamber program to save 20%.
Supervisor Retail Rate: $43.99
Simi Valley Chamber Discount Rate: $35.19

Non Supervisor Retail Rate: $25.99
Simi Valley Chamber Discount Rate: $20.79

In order to receive the discount, you must sign up through this link . For more information, visit https://www.simivalleychamber.org/harassment/
AB 5 (Employees & Independent Contractors) Awaits Governor's Response
As the end of the legislative session approaches, bills are rapidly being voted on in the Senate and Assembly. After bills pass out of their respective house, they head to the Governor's desk for a decision.

AB 5, commonly known as the "Gig Worker Bill" or the independent contractor bill, has passed through both houses of the State Legislature and now waits for the Governor's decision.

Though some of the exemptions and industry carve-outs are a step in the right direction, the final piece of legislation heading toward the Governor does not show all the exemptions we would have liked. There are significant improvements from the initial restrictive nature of the Dynamex decision, however the exemptions proposed in this final decision do not address some of the concerns we have in regards to uncertainty and flexibility of doing business in the state.

Keep an eye out for legislation as it moves quickly toward the Governor's Desk. For more updates, join us at our September Legislative Advocacy Forum on Wednesday, September 25 at 8 AM in the Chamber.
2020 Census: What's At Stake
Every person left uncounted in the 2020 Census will be a loss of $2,000 in social safety services each year for 10 years. If 1,000 children between the ages of 1 - 5 are not counted in Simi Valley, that would be a loss of $20M over the next 10 years. Ventura County has been determined to be one of the counties most at-risk for an under count, and we need your help!

The Ventura County Complete Count Committee is working to ensure a full, fair and accurate count Countywide to build strategic alliances and work to solve broadband equity.

The Simi Valley Chamber has been working to promote the importance of the 2020 Census and inform our members and community on the importance of having a complete count in this census cycle.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in the 2020 Census and the Ventura County Complete Count, visit: www.VenturaCountyCounts.org
State of the State Town Hall with Assembly Woman Christy Smith

The Simi Valley Chamber is excited to announce a State of the State Town Hall with Assemblywoman Christy Smith. She will discuss her priorities for the Simi Valley business community and answer any questions. This town hall will be held on Thursday, October 10 at 8 AM.

This is a free chamber member benefit, but RSVP's are required. Please fill out this form to confirm your spot.
Simi Valley Chamber Legislative Advocacy Forum
 
The Simi Valley Chamber Legislative Advocacy Forum (LAF) meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month to discuss current legislation and its impact on businesses. Staff from the state legislature, U.S. Congress, County of Ventura, and the City of Simi Valley attend these meetings.
 
Join us for the next meeting on Wednesday, September 25 at 8:00 AM in the Chamber.
Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce | 805-526-3900 | samantha@simichamber.org | simichamber.org