June 18, 2026: LADA-Sponsored Anti-Labor Trafficking Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk After Unanimous Legislative Approval

AB 1583 ensures labor trafficking and wage theft cases can be prosecuted where victims live and work

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- Legislation sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and co-sponsored by the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office has passed the California State Senate by a unanimous 38-0 vote and now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk for consideration.

"AB 1583 gives prosecutors the tools they need to hold labor traffickers and wage thieves accountable, regardless of how many county lines they cross in the commission of these crimes," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "I want to thank Deputy District Attorney Tamar Tokat, whose expertise, dedication and tireless work were instrumental in advancing this bill through the Legislature. Too often, workers are harmed by schemes that span multiple jurisdictions, creating unnecessary barriers to effective prosecution. AB 1583 removes those barriers. I urge Governor Newsom to sign this important measure into law. Doing so will strengthen protections for workers throughout California, improve our ability to combat labor trafficking and wage theft, and ensure that those who exploit workers can be held accountable wherever their crimes occur."

AB 1583 would strengthen California's response to labor trafficking and wage theft by establishing clear jurisdictional authority for prosecutors to bring cases in the county where the victim resided at the time of the crime, where the employment agreement was entered into, where any portion of the work was performed, or where the offending business operated. By doing so, the measure closes a significant loophole that has hindered the prosecution of schemes spanning multiple jurisdictions and provides prosecutors with stronger tools to investigate and prosecute these complex crimes.

The bill received bipartisan support throughout the legislative process and passed both houses of the Legislature unanimously.