(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to codify certain labor protections that should be afforded to sheepherders. The provisions of this section are in addition to, and are entirely independent from, any other statutory or legal protections, rights, or remedies that are or may be available under this code or any other state law or regulation to sheepherders either as individuals, employees, or persons.

(b) All terms used in this section and in Section 2695.2 have the meanings assigned to them by this code or any other state law or regulation.

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(c) The Department of Industrial Relations shall update Wage Order No. 14-2001 to be consistent with this section and Sections 2695.2, 2695.3, and 2695.4, except that any existing provision in Wage Order No. 14-2001 that provides greater protections or benefits to sheepherders or goat herders shall continue in full force and effect, notwithstanding any provision of this section, Section 2695.2, Section 2695.3, or Section 2695.4.

(d) For purposes of this section and Section 2695.2, “sheepherder” means an individual who is employed to do any of the following, including with the use of trained dogs:

(1) Tend herds of sheep grazing or browsing on range or pasture.

(2) Move sheep to and about an area assigned for grazing or browsing.

(3) Prevent sheep from wandering or becoming lost.

(4) Protect sheep against predators and the eating of poisonous plants.

(5) Assist in the lambing, docking, or shearing of sheep.

(6) Provide water or feed supplementary rations to sheep.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 569, Sec. 41. (AB 156) Effective September 27, 2022.)