Californians Plead with Governor to Suspend AB 5 Amidst COVID-19 Crisis

SACRAMENTO – Hundreds of Californians are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to use his Emergency Powers to suspend Assembly Bill 5’s restrictions on independent contracting during the COVID-19 crisis.

These calls followed a letter sent to Governor Newsom by Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) laying out the legal authority, under the California Emergency Services Act, for the Governor to suspend the recently enacted law in order to allow more Californians to work remotely and to enable greater provision of care by a host of healthcare professions. Yesterday the Orange County Register Editorial Board joined the chorus stating that it is “counterproductive to enforce the law” at this time.

“The Governor has shown strong leadership in confronting an unprecedented crisis, making hard but necessary decisions,” Kiley said. “Suspending AB 5 is one easy thing he could do that would make a big difference.

“At a time when most Californians can’t work outside the home, AB 5 is stopping many of them from working inside the home.”

Assemblyman Kevin Kiley represents the 6^th Assembly District, which includes the Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado County communities of Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Loomis, Orangevale, Penryn, Rocklin, Roseville, and Sheridan.