Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 859, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2003.
There is in the Labor and Workforce Development Agency the Department of Industrial Relations.
California Labor Code — §§ 50-64.5
Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 859, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2003.
There is in the Labor and Workforce Development Agency the Department of Industrial Relations.
Added by Stats. 1939, Ch. 276.
One of the functions of the Department of Industrial Relations is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners of California, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment.
Added by Stats. 1953, Ch. 31.
The Department of Industrial Relations may assist and cooperate with the Wage and Hour Division, and the Children’s Bureau, United States Department of Labor, in the enforcement within this State of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, and, subject to the regulations of the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, or the Chief of the Children’s Bureau, and subject to the laws of the State applicable to the receipt and expenditures of money, may be reimbursed by the division or the bureau for the reasonable cost of such assistance and cooperation.
Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1245. Note: See changes set forth in Governor's Reorg. Plan 1 of 1991.
The department shall develop a long range program for upgrading and expanding the resources of the State of California in the area of occupational health and medicine. The program shall include a contractual agreement with the University of California for the creation of occupational health centers affiliated with regional schools of medicine and public health. One such occupational health center shall be situated in the northern part of the state and one in the southern part. The primary function of these occupational health centers shall be the training of occupational physicians and nurses, toxicologists, epidemiologists, and industrial hygienists. In addition, the centers shall serve as referral centers for occupational illnesses and shall engage in research on the causes, diagnosis, and prevention of occupational illnesses.
The centers shall also inform the Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Industrial Relations, State Department of Health Services, and the Department of Food and Agriculture of their clinical and research findings.
Added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 880.
In furtherance of the provisions of Section 50.5, the director, or the Director of Employment Development, may comment on the impact of actions or projects proposed by public agencies on opportunities for profitable employment, and such agencies shall consider such comments in their decisions.
Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 142, Sec. 97.
The department shall be conducted under the control of an executive officer known as Director of Industrial Relations. The Director of Industrial Relations shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate and hold office at the pleasure of the Governor and shall receive an annual salary provided for by Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 11550) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
Amended by Stats. 1949, Ch. 211.
Except as otherwise prescribed in this code, the provisions of the Government Code relating to departments of the State shall govern and apply to the conduct of the department.
Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1097, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1995.
Whenever in Section 1001 or in Part 1 (commencing with Section 11000) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code “head of the department” or similar designation occurs, the same shall, for the purposes of this code, mean the director, except that in respect to matters which by the express provisions of this code are committed to or retained under the jurisdiction of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the State Compensation Insurance Fund, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board, or the Industrial Welfare Commission the designation shall mean the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, the State Compensation Insurance Fund, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board, or the Industrial Welfare Commission, as the case may be.
Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.
The director shall perform all duties, exercise all powers and jurisdiction, assume and discharge all responsibilities, and carry out and effect all purposes vested by law in the department, except as otherwise expressly provided by this code.
Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1097, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1995.
The director may appoint an attorney and assistants licensed to practice law in this state. In the absence of an appointment, the attorney for the Division of Workers’ Compensation shall also perform legal services for the department as the Director of Industrial Relations may direct.
Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1097, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1995.
For the purpose of administration the director shall organize the department subject to the approval of the Governor, in the manner he deems necessary properly to segregate and conduct the work of the department. Notwithstanding any provision in this code to the contrary, the director may require any division in the department to assist in the enforcement of any or all laws within the jurisdiction of the department. Except as provided in Section 18930 of the Health and Safety Code, the director may, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11371), Part 1, Division 3, Title 2 of the Government Code, make rules and regulations that are reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and to effectuate its purposes. The provisions of this section, however, shall not apply to the Division of Workers’ Compensation or the State Compensation Insurance Fund, except as to any power or jurisdiction within those divisions as may have been specifically conferred upon the director by law.
Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 46, Sec. 77. (SB 1038) Effective June 27, 2012.
The work of the department shall be divided into at least five divisions known as the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, and the State Compensation Insurance Fund.
Amended by Stats. 1973, Ch. 993.
Each division shall be in charge of a chief who shall be appointed by the Governor and shall receive a salary fixed in accordance with law, and shall serve at the pleasure of the director.
Amended by Stats. 1979, Ch. 72.
Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 624, Sec. 1. (AB 845) Effective January 1, 2026.
employee by any department, division, or board within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, the appropriate entity shall collaborate with each other and take all reasonable efforts to transmit the complaint to the appropriate entity for processing and investigation.
a person employed in any of the following:
includes, but is not limited to, the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Division of Occupational Safety and
Health, or Employment Development Department.
Added by Stats. 1945, Ch. 1431.
All duties, powers, and jurisdiction relating to the administration of the State Compensation Insurance Fund shall be vested in the Board of Directors of the State Compensation Insurance Fund.
Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.
The department shall have possession and control of all records, books, papers, offices, equipment, supplies, moneys, funds, appropriations, land, and other property, real or personal, held for the benefit or use of all commissions, divisions, and offices of the department and the title to all such property held for the use and benefit of the State is hereby transferred to the State.
Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.
The department through its appropriate officers shall administer and enforce all laws imposing any duty, power, or function upon the offices or officers of the department.
Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 146, Sec. 137. Effective January 1, 1995.
Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of Divisions 4 and 4.5 of this code shall be administered and enforced by the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Amended by Stats. 1979, Ch. 72.
Added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 72.
All persons serving in the state civil service in the Division of Industrial Safety or in the Occupational Health Branch of the State Department of Health Services, and engaged in the performance of a function transferred to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall, in accordance with Section 19370 of the Government Code, remain in the state civil service and are hereby transferred to the Department of Industrial Relations. The status, positions, and rights of such persons shall not be affected by their transfer and shall continue to be retained by them pursuant to the State Civil Service Act, except as to positions the duties of which are vested in a position that is exempt from civil service.
Added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 72.
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall have possession and control of all records, books, papers, offices, equipment, supplies, moneys, funds, appropriations, land, licenses, permits, agreements, contracts, claims, judgments, and other property, real or personal, held for the benefit or use of the Division of Industrial Safety and the Occupational Health Branch of the State Department of Health Services with respect to the functions of those organizations that are transferred to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
Added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 72.
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health may expend money appropriated for the administration of the laws the enforcement of which is committed to the division. Such expenditures by the division shall be made in accordance with law in carrying out the purposes for which the appropriations were made.
Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 299, Sec. 1.
There is within the Division of Occupational Safety and Health an occupational health unit and an occupational safety unit, which shall assist in the performance of occupational health functions and occupational safety functions, respectively, assigned to the division by law. There is also within the occupational health unit an occupational carcinogen control unit responsible for implementing the division’s obligations pursuant to the Occupational Carcinogens Control Act of 1976 (Part 10 (commencing with Sec. 9000)). The division, in performing its responsibilities under this code, shall provide for laboratory services and service personnel with respect to occupational health matters by interagency agreement with the State Department of Health Services or another public entity, by contract with a private sector laboratory, or by establishment of a laboratory within the division, or by a combination thereof. In the event that the division contracts with the private sector for laboratory services, the division shall enter into an interagency agreement with the State Department of Health Services for quality control and performance evaluation of the contract laboratory as well as analysis of nonroutine laboratory samples.
Amended by Stats. 1976, Ch. 746.
The provisions of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1171) of Part 4 of Division 2 shall be administered and enforced by the department through the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.
The department may expend money appropriated for the administration of the provisions of the laws, the enforcement of which is committed to the department. The department may expend such money for the use, support, or maintenance of any commission or office of the department. Such expenditures by the department shall be made in accordance with law in carrying on the work for which such appropriations were made.
Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 23, Sec. 4. (SB 129) Effective June 30, 2025.
(A) For the administration of the workers’ compensation program set forth in this division and Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200), other than the activities financed pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 3702.5.
(B) For the Return-to-Work Program set forth in Section 139.48.
(C) For the enforcement of the insurance coverage program established and maintained by the Labor Commissioner pursuant to Section 90.3.
employed by uninsured employers in accordance with Article 2 (commencing with Section 3710) of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of Division 4, and shall not be used for any other purpose. All moneys collected shall be retained in the trust fund until paid as benefits to workers injured while employed by uninsured employers. Nonadministrative expenses include audits and reports of services prepared pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 3716.1. The surcharge amount for this fund shall be stated separately.
from the Workers’ Compensation Administration Revolving Fund, those expenses shall be advanced from the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund. Expense advances made pursuant to this paragraph shall be reimbursed in full to the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund upon enactment of the annual Budget Act.
shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund for nonadministrative expenses, as prescribed in paragraph (1), and notwithstanding paragraph (1), shall only be available upon appropriation by the Legislature.
with Article 5 (commencing with Section 4751) of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of Division 4, and Section 4 of Article XIV of the California Constitution, and shall not be used for any other purpose. All moneys collected shall be retained in the trust fund until paid as benefits to workers who have suffered serious injury and who are suffering from previous and serious permanent disabilities or physical impairments. Nonadministrative expenses include audits and reports of services pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 4755. The surcharge amount for this fund shall be stated separately.
or impasse prevent the timely payment of administrative expenses from the Workers’ Compensation Administration Revolving Fund, those expenses shall be advanced from the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund. Expense advances made pursuant to this paragraph shall be reimbursed in full to the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund upon enactment of the annual Budget Act.
Division 5 (commencing with Section 6300).
State Treasury. Moneys in the fund may be expended by the department, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the support of the activities that the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement performs pursuant to this division and Division 2 (commencing with Section 200), Division 3 (commencing with Section 2700), and Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200).
proportion to payroll respectively paid in the most recent year for which payroll information is available. The director shall adopt reasonable regulations governing the manner of collection of the surcharges. The regulations shall require the surcharges to be paid by self-insurers to be expressed as a percentage of indemnity paid during the most recent year for which information is available, and the surcharges to be paid by insured employers to be expressed as a percentage of premium. In no event shall the surcharges paid by insured employers be considered a premium for computation of a gross premium tax or agents’ commission. In no event shall the total amount of the surcharges paid by insured and self-insured employers exceed the amounts reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(B) Assessments shall be levied by the
director upon all employers, as defined in Section 3300, as necessary, to collect the aggregate amount determined by the Fraud Assessment Commission pursuant to Section 1872.83 of the Insurance Code. Revenues derived from the assessments shall be deposited in the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Account in the Insurance Fund and shall only be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the investigation and prosecution of workers’ compensation fraud and the willful failure to secure payment of workers’ compensation, as prescribed by Section 1872.83 of the Insurance Code. The total amount of the assessment shall be allocated between self-insured employers and insured employers in proportion to payroll respectively paid in the most recent year for which payroll information is available. The director shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations governing the manner of collection of
the assessment. The rules and regulations shall require the assessment to be paid by self-insurers to be expressed as a percentage of indemnity paid during the most recent year for which information is available, and the assessment to be paid by insured employers to be expressed as a percentage of premium. In no event shall the assessment paid by insured employers be considered a premium for computation of a gross premium tax or agents’ commission.
assessments from previous fiscal years pursuant to Sections 15606 and 15609 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations. For the 2013–14 fiscal year only, the revenue cap established in this paragraph shall be reduced by an amount equivalent to the balance transferred from the Cal-OSHA Targeted Inspection and Consultation Fund established in Section 62.7, less any amount of that balance loaned to the State Public Works Enforcement Fund, to the Occupational Safety and Health Fund pursuant to subdivision (d).
payroll information is available. The director shall adopt reasonable regulations governing the manner of collection of the surcharges. In no event shall the total amount of the surcharges paid by employers exceed the amounts reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
shall be exempt from the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 28, Sec. 35. (SB 71) Effective June 27, 2013.
Five million dollars ($5,000,000) is hereby appropriated for transfer by the State Controller upon order of the Director of Finance from the Cal-OSHA Targeted Inspection and Consultation Fund as a loan to the State Public Works Enforcement Fund. This loan shall be repaid to the Occupational Safety and Health Fund by June 30, 2015. This loan shall be repaid with interest calculated at the rate earned by the Pooled Money Investment Account at the time of the transfer.
Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 947.
The Director may authorize the refund of moneys received or collected by the department in payment of license fees or for other services in cases where the license can not lawfully be issued or the service rendered to the applicant.
Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 96, Sec. 1.
The Labor Commissioner may enter into reciprocal agreements with the labor department or corresponding agency of any other state or with the person, board, officer, or commission authorized to act for and on behalf of that department or agency, for the collection in that other state of claims or judgments for wages and other demands based upon claims previously assigned to the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 306, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.
When requested by the State Board of Equalization, the department may permit any duly authorized representative of that agency to transmit to the State Board of Equalization information available in the department’s records that indicates a retail establishment is operating without a seller’s permit required by the State Board of Equalization, to assist the State Board of Equalization in determining compliance with the Sales and Use Tax Law (Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code).