Employment: benefits: electronic notice and documents.

(1) The Personal Income Tax Law allows various credits against the taxes imposed by that law, including certain credits that are allowed in modified conformity to credits allowed by federal income tax laws. Federal income tax laws allow a refundable earned income tax credit for certain low-income individuals who have earned income and who meet certain other requirements. The Personal Income Tax Law, in modified conformity with federal income tax laws, allows an earned income credit against personal income tax, and a payment in excess of that credit amount, to an eligible individual that is equal to that portion of the earned income tax credit allowed by federal law as determined by the earned income tax credit adjustment factor as set forth in the annual Budget Act. Existing law, the Earned Income Tax Credit Information Act, requires an employer, as defined, to notify all employees that they may be eligible for specified income tax filing assistance programs and state and federal antipoverty tax credits, including the federal and California earned income tax credits by handing specified documents directly to the employee or mailing the specified documents to the employee's last known address twice annually, as provided. Existing law authorizes the 2nd notification to be sent electronically. This bill, until January 1, 2029, would authorize the employer to provide the first above-described notification via email to an employee's email account instead of directly handing or mailing the document to the employee if the employee affirmatively, and in writing or by electronic acknowledgment, opts into receipt of electronic statements or materials. The bill would prohibit the employer from discharging or taking other adverse action against an employee who does not opt into receipt of electronic statements or materials. (2) Existing law prescribes a system for the payment of benefits to unemployed individuals who meet specified eligibility criteria. Existing law requires an employer to supply, pursuant to authorized regulations, each individual at the time they become unemployed with copies of printed statements or materials relating to claims for benefits. Existing law provides that the failure of an employer to comply with these provisions is a misdemeanor. This bill, until January 1, 2029, would authorize the employer to provide the above-described notification concerning statements and materials for benefits via email to an employee's email account, if the employee affirmatively, and in writing, by email, or by some form of electronic acknowledgment, opts into receipt of electronic statements or materials, as prescribed. The bill would prohibit the employer from discharging or taking other adverse action against an employee who does not opt into receipt of electronic statements or materials. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.