Gov. Brown signs legislation ensuring rest breaks for farm and landscaping workers

Governor Jerry Brown has signed legislation that will ensure workers in industries such as agriculture and landscaping get rest breaks during hot weather.

Under the legislation from Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of Los Angeles, workers exposed to extreme heat must be granted cool-down periods during the work day.

Padilla’s office says SB435 is intended to prevent illness, injury and death among workers.

If employers do not provide such a cool-down period, they must pay the employee for an additional hour of work for each day the rest period is not provided.

The California Chamber of Commerce and other business groups initially opposed the bill, which Brown announced signing on Thursday. They said an initial version could have exposed employers to lawsuits, but they withdrew opposition after the bill was amended.