Workplace violence: restraining orders

The law lets parties and witnesses participate without appearing in person and requires courts to accept filings online. It also allows employers to seek workplace-wide protection when threats target a worksite rather than a particular worker.

What the law does ​

• Allows parties and witnesses to appear remotely at workplace-violence restraining-order hearings without a fee, beginning January 1, 2028.
• Requires each county superior court to publish local remote-appearance rules and instructions.
• Requires courts to accept electronic petitions and related filings, and to electronically send case documents to electronic filers unless they opt to pick them up.
• Directs the Judicial Council to create the necessary forms and rules by January 1, 2028.
• Allows an employer to seek an order protecting all employees at a workplace or primary work location when harassment, violence, or threats target that location rather than a specific employee.

Who it affects ​

• Employers and collective bargaining representatives seeking protection for workers facing workplace harassment, violence, or credible threats.
• Employees, volunteers, and independent contractors at affected worksites.
• People accused of workplace harassment, violence, or threats, along with witnesses in these cases.
• County superior courts handling workplace-violence restraining-order petitions.