California SB 310: Wage Theft Bill on Pause

June 10, 2025
large red and white meeting room for lawmakers in Sacramento, California
Imagine working hard all week, doing your job, and then your paycheck is late – or worse, some of your pay is missing. For many low-wage workers in California, this isn't just an inconvenience; it can be a disaster. It might mean not being able to buy food, pay rent, or get medicine for a sick child.  

That's why Senate Bill 310 (SB 310) is so important. However, the bill has been put on hold until January 2026. 

What Is SB 310 All About?

Introduced by Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco, SB 310 aims to make it easier for workers to recover penalties for late or unpaid wages, not just the wages themselves. Right now, it's really difficult for these workers to directly recover these penalties in court. As a result, there’s little consequence for employers who delay paying workers.  


Senator Wiener stated, "Low-wage workers currently have no viable way under California law to recover penalties for late or stolen wages. As a result, employers have little incentive to pay workers on time."  


If passed, this bill would allow workers to file lawsuits directly for penalties tied to delayed or unpaid wages, thus ensuring that when an employer violates wage laws, they face meaningful financial consequences. 

Why Was the Bill Delayed?

The California Chamber of Commerce and other employer groups opposed the bill, citing potential conflicts with the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Senator Wiener has called these objections part of a “misinformation campaign,” stating these concerns are "baseless." 


Even with this setback, the fight for fair pay isn't over. Supporters of SB 310, including groups like the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation and Legal Aid at Work, are determined to keep pushing. 

The Fight for Delayed or Unpaid Wages Continues

Mark Schacht, Deputy Director of the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, explained, "Low wage workers deserve a meaningful avenue to remedy employer wage theft, and this bill simply gives them the same relief in a court proceeding that they could obtain if they prevailed in an LCO hearing." In other words, SB 310 would give workers a quicker and more effective way to get what they're owed, without forcing workers to go through a lengthy administrative process with the Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO). 


Senator Wiener plans to work with another senator to improve SB 310 and bring it back up for a vote in January 2026. The goal is to make sure all workers in California are protected from wage theft and have a practical way to get what they are rightfully owed. 


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