Bill > SB5944

This bill amends existing law to allow language access providers, who are individuals providing interpretation services, to collectively bargain with the state government. Specifically, the governor is designated as the public employer for these providers for the sole purpose of collective bargaining, and the scope of bargaining is limited to economic compensation, professional development, labor-management committees, grievance procedures, and health and welfare benefits, excluding retirement benefits. The bill also establishes specific statewide bargaining units for different types of language access providers and outlines procedures for mediation, interest arbitration, and legislative approval of funding for negotiated agreements, while explicitly stating that language access providers do not have the right to strike. Importantly, if a conflict arises between an executive order, administrative rule, or agency policy concerning wages, hours, or employment conditions and a collective bargaining agreement, the agreement will prevail, though any provision in the agreement that conflicts with a statute will be invalid.