Governor Newsom just signed a new law granting massive power to California farmworkers — here's what's changing

The new year will bring relief to California farmworkers impacted by warming global temperatures after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing them to use sick time when environmental conditions are too dangerous for them to work.

In September, the office of Sen. Steve Padilla announced that Gov. Newsom approved Senate Bill 1105, which will go into effect on Jan. 1. The legislation first introduced by Padilla aims to protect agricultural workers who are disproportionately impacted by extreme weather, which has grown more frequent and intense because of rising global temperatures.

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Thanks to SB 1105, it will now be illegal for employers to deny sick days to agricultural workers when the state government or local municipality has declared a weather-related emergency, protecting the health and livelihoods of nearly 50% of all farmworkers nationwide - and in turn a supply system that ensures food makes its way to stores for families worldwide..

"California farmworkers put their bodies through incredible stress every day to feed families across the globe," Sen. Padilla, who represents the 18th District, said in a statement published by his office. "This law is critical as we adapt our policies to the impacts of climate change. Giving these workers the freedom and peace of mind to use their hard-earned sick days to protect their health further adds to California's landmark labor protections."