AB1697

Employment contracts: stay-or-pay provisions: contract date.

Chamber Passed·5/18/26

California AB1697 prohibits certain debt repayment obligations in employment contracts entered into after January 1, 2027.

California AB1697 amends the Business and Professions Code to prohibit including certain debt repayment obligations in employment contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2027. Specifically, it is unlawful to require a worker to repay a debt if their employment or work relationship with a specific employer terminates. This prohibition does not apply to certain loan repayment assistance programs, contracts related to the repayment of tuition for a transferable credential, apprenticeship programs, or contracts for the lease, financing, or purchase of residential property.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Last
Passed the Assembly · 13–0 · May 18
Current
The Senate
Next
Senate floor vote

Sponsors

D
1
0
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

13 Yea

DDDDDDDDDRDRD

0 Nay

Calendar

Aug 3

10:00 AM

Senate Appropriations Hearing

Jun 23

9:30 AM

Senate Judiciary Hearing

History

Aug 4

Senate

Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

Aug 3

Senate

From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.

Jun 24

Senate

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.