(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that a relevant public agency maximize economic cobenefits by conditioning eligibility to be awarded a covered public contract on a commitment to comply with the labor standards established in this section.

(b) A covered public contract shall incorporate high road job standards designed to achieve the following goals:

(1) Support the creation and retention of quality, nontemporary and full-time jobs that provide high wages, including benefits and access to training.

(2) Support the hiring of displaced workers and individuals facing barriers to employment.

(3) Encourage the development of the state’s long-term, climate-sustainable transportation and related infrastructure and manufacturing sectors.

(4) Protect public health by supporting the adoption of specific protections for worker health and safety.

(c) At a minimum, the high road jobs standards shall warrant that the contractor, and any subcontractors that it may use to fulfill the covered public contract, shall satisfy the following requirements:

(1) Individuals performing work to fulfill the covered public contract shall not be misclassified as independent contractors.

(2) The contractor and any subcontractors performing work to fulfill the covered public contract shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws pertaining to paid sick leave, including any antiretaliation provisions contained in those laws.

(3) The contractor and any subcontractors performing work to fulfill the covered public contract shall comply with all applicable safety and health laws and regulations, and shall comply with the employee protections set forth in Sections 6310 and 6311 of the Labor Code.

(4) The contractor shall warrant that it complies, and will continue to comply, with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336; 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.) and all regulations thereunder.

(d) A relevant public agency may incorporate additional high road factors, as defined in subdivision (r) of § 14005 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, into its scoring criteria for covered public contracts, including, but not limited to, a consideration of job creation, wages, and benefits.

(e) The Department of General Services, in consultation with the Labor and Workforce Development Agency and the Department of Transportation, shall develop and publish policies, procedures, and requirements applicable to covered public contracts in the State Contracting Manual for the purpose of implementing this chapter. The exemption established in § 14615.1 of the Government Code shall apply to these policies, procedures, and requirements.

(f) The programs created pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to solicitations or covered public contracts issued before January 1, 2023.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 875, Sec. 1. (SB 674) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2028, pursuant to Section 6986.)