California Expands Workplace Violence Restraining Orders, Updates Court Procedures
California passed laws expanding workplace violence restraining orders and modernizing court procedures.
Why it matters: Employers and legal teams must update workplace policies and prepare for new court processes to comply with these changes, impacting safety and access to justice.
- AB 1961 lets employers seek workplace-wide restraining orders without naming individuals, effective Jan 1, 2027.
- AB 2179 requires remote, fee-free appearances at restraining order hearings and electronic petition filing starting Jan 1, 2028.
- Superior courts must adopt local rules enabling remote hearings and electronic submissions by 2028.
- The Judicial Council will revise restraining order forms for workplace-wide petitions and digital processes by Jan 1, 2028.
On September 30, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bills 1961 and 2179 into law, enhancing protections under the workplace violence restraining order (WVRO) statute in Section 527.8 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. These laws expand workplace safety measures and modernize restraining order court procedures. AB 1961 text and AB 2179 text provide full details.
Starting January 1, 2027, AB 1961 allows employers to petition courts for workplace violence restraining orders that cover all employees at a specific worksite or location without naming individuals. This change targets situations where threats or violence affect the workplace generally rather than isolated persons.
Under AB 2179, effective January 1, 2028, victims, witnesses, and parties can attend WVRO hearings remotely without paying fees. To implement this, superior courts must create local rules that support remote participation, ensuring hearings remain accessible.
Also beginning in 2028, courts must accept all WVRO petitions and filings electronically. They are required to provide electronic copies of records unless a physical copy is requested.
The Judicial Council will update WVRO forms by January 1, 2028, to accommodate petitions that apply workplace-wide and to integrate revised filing procedures.
While courts must adopt local rules to enable remote hearings and e-filing, the timing and specifics may differ across jurisdictions. Legal experts note this variability could influence how quickly employers and petitioners experience these procedural improvements. For example, large counties may roll out technology sooner than smaller jurisdictions.
Employers and legal teams should review workplace violence policies and adjust their legal strategies to reflect these changes. Advancements in court access and simplified petitioning are designed to improve protection for employees and reduce procedural barriers.
By the numbers:
- January 1, 2027 — Effective date for AB 1961 workplace-wide restraining orders
- January 1, 2028 — Start date for remote, fee-free hearings and mandatory electronic filing under AB 2179
- September 30, 2026 — Date Governor Newsom signed the bills into law
Yes, but: While the laws mandate remote hearings and e-filing, courts’ variable pace in adopting local rules could delay uniform implementation across California.
What's next: Courts will finalize local procedural rules for remote appearances and electronic filing by 2028; legal teams should monitor these developments in their jurisdictions.