Newsom Signed Bill Allowing Group Restraining Orders
New legislation allows California employers to protect groups of workers from workplace violence.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Unions
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Should employers be able to seek restraining orders covering entire groups of employees without naming individuals?
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1961 into law, permitting employers to secure temporary restraining orders for groups of employees. The legislation allows companies to protect staff against credible threats without identifying specific individuals.
Why it matters
The law addresses the reality of threats directed at entire workplaces rather than specific workers. By allowing collective protection, the state aims to streamline the process for employers to ensure staff safety.
Assembly Bill 1961 amends Section 527.8 of the California Code of Civil Procedure to allow for group-based protections. The law officially takes effect on January 1, 2027.
The players
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom is the Governor of California who signed the legislation into law.
The details
Under the new law, employers can file petitions for temporary restraining orders that cover a group of employees based on their worksite or primary job duties. This removes the previous requirement for employers to name individual staff members as protected parties when facing credible threats of violence.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1961.
January 1, 2027: The new law takes effect.
Political Context
The legislation expands California Code of Civil Procedure Section 527.8 by allowing collective employee protection. Critics and labor advocates may raise concerns regarding the potential for this expansion to be used in ways that limit employee rights or assembly.
Employees working in environments with identified threats may now receive group legal protection without their names being filed in court records. This regulatory change simplifies the legal process for employers to secure an immediate safety response.
The takeaway
The law provides a mechanism for employers to address broader workplace threats more efficiently. Managers should review their safety protocols to understand how they can apply these new group-based protections once the law takes effect.
Further reading
Learn more about workplace policy and labor developments on the California Unions page.
Live Poll
Should employers be able to seek restraining orders covering entire groups of employees without naming individuals?
