Bill > SB1054

This bill, titled the "Better Data, Better Coverage, Better California Act," aims to improve the reporting of employment and earnings data by employers to the Employment Development Department (EDD) and to streamline the sharing of this information with other state agencies. Starting July 1, 2027, employers with 10 or more employees will be required to report additional details for each employee, including total monthly wage, industry, occupation, worker type (e.g., full-time, part-time, salaried, hourly), and hours worked. The EDD will work to simplify these reporting processes, potentially by aligning definitions and using user-friendly technology. Crucially, by January 1, 2028, the EDD will be required to share this enhanced employment data, specifically hours worked, with the State Department of Social Services and the State Department of Health Care Services to help verify eligibility for public benefits like Medi-Cal and CalFresh, and with the Office of the California Education Interagency Council to support their work on workforce needs. The bill also expands the types of confidential information that can be accessed by certain state agencies for specific purposes, while reinforcing privacy protections.