California lawmakers approve changes to law allowing workers to sue employers over labor violations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Legislature approved bills Thursday that would amend a 20-year-old law allowing workers to sue their bosses over labor violations and require employers found liable to pay a fine to the state.

The legislation would reform the Private Attorneys General Act, which took effect in 2004. It has come under scrutiny by business groups that say the law has been misused. Critics also say that litigating alleged violations under the law is often time-consuming and expensive.

The bills would lower the financial penalty for some employers and compel them to correct violations. They came out of a deal between Gov. Gavin Newsom, lawmakers, business groups and labor leaders to remove a ballot measure asking voters to repeal and replace the law.