Grocery and Pharmacy Closures

Workforce Services Information Notice
WSIN24-29

Issued: January 3, 2025

This Information Notice is to inform you of the passage of Senate Bill (SB) No. 1089, which goes into effect on January 1, 2025. SB 1089 adds Chapter 42 to Division 8 of the California Business and Professions Code and relates to food and prescription access.

SB 1089 requires that if specific grocery or pharmacy establishments are closing, they must submit a written notice to affected employees, the Employment Development Department (EDD), the Local Workforce Development Area (Local Area), and the chief elected official of each city and county affected no later than 45 days prior to the establishment’s closure.  It also requires that a notice is submitted to the Department of Social Services and the California State Board of Pharmacy, as applicable.

Although this legislation is similar to the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), the closure notices SB 1089 mandates are separate.  

For more information about this legislation, visit the EDD’s SB 1089 FAQ webpage.

/s/ KIMBERLEE MEYER, Chief
Central Office Workforce Services Division