Amendments to the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act

Workforce Services Information Notice
WSIN25-14

Issued: January 6, 2026

Senate Bill (SB) No. 617 has been passed, effective January 1, 2026, and amends Section 1401 of the California Labor Code to introduce new requirements for the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.

Under SB 617, employers must specify in their WARN Notice whether they intend to coordinate services – such as Rapid Response Orientation – through the Local Workforce Development Board (Local Board), another entity, or not at all. If the employer elects to coordinate services through the Local Board or another entity, coordination must occur within 30 days of the date of the WARN Notice issued.

In addition, employers are required to include a description of Rapid Response activities, an overview of the statewide food assistance program known as CalFresh, the CalFresh benefits helpline, and a link to the CalFresh website. The notice must also provide an employer contact email address and phone number, as well as the phone number and email address to the applicable Local Board.

For more information about these new requirements, visits the EDD’s WARN webpage.

Inquiries

If you have any questions, please contact the WARN Notice Inbox at WARNNotice@edd.ca.gov.

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