Staffing agencies: registration.

The bill was reformatted from a traditional legislative document (with page headers, line numbers, and column layout) into a web page presentation with navigation menus, quick search, version comparison links, and metadata such as publication date.

The fixed $5,000 initial or renewal registration fee was removed and replaced with a fee in an amount determined by the commissioner sufficient to defray the costs of administering the part. This gives the commissioner discretion to set the fee level rather than locking it at $5,000.

Section 2203(b) now requires the commissioner to conduct a review and investigation (not just a review) before being satisfied as to the character, competency, and responsibility of the staffing agency. This expands the commissioner's investigative authority in the registration process.

A new subdivision (e) was added to Section 2207 requiring that from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027, plaintiffs in private actions must demonstrate the defendant had actual notice of the registration requirements. Acceptable notice includes certified letters to the place of business or designated address for service of process, or other reasonable written notice. As of January 1, 2028, notice is presumed, removing this burden.

The state-mandated local program designation was changed from 'no' to 'yes,' acknowledging that the bill's expansion of perjury imposes a state-mandated local program on local agencies.

Registration is now required before conducting any business in the state, not just annually thereafter. This means a staffing agency cannot operate at all until it has completed registration.

The bill now imposes a state-mandated local program (changed from 'no' to 'yes') because expanding the scope of perjury through the certification requirement triggers reimbursement obligations under the California Constitution, though no actual reimbursement is required.

Application must now disclose any open litigation, liens, fines, taxes past due, and any current or past violations of the Labor Code.

The staffing agency owner must personally sign the application and certify under penalty of perjury that all information provided is true and correct.

A new surety bond requirement was added, payable to the State of California in an amount determined by the commissioner.

The workers' compensation insurance policy must now specifically identify and name the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement as a certificate holder, not just be in effect for employees.

The registration fee changed from a fixed $5,000 to an amount determined by the commissioner sufficient to defray the costs of administering the part, giving the commissioner discretion over the fee.

If a staffing agency lacks current workers' comp insurance, the commissioner must now deny, suspend, or revoke registration after a hearing, in addition to notifying the Director and having a stop order issued. Previously only notification and a stop order were required.

A registered staffing agency may now seek injunctive relief without demonstrating actual harm, lowering the threshold for obtaining an injunction against unregistered agencies or businesses that fail to verify registration.