The Welfare and Institutions Code establishes procedures for collective bargaining between a county or a public authority established by a county, and the employee organization representing In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers in the county. When negotiations between a county or public authority employer and an employee organization reach an impasse, the Code establishes a three-step process consisting of mediation, factfinding, and post-factfinding mediation, followed by public disclosure of the factfinding panel’s recommendations and potential financial penalties for the employer that fails to reach a timely agreement. If both parties agree, the parties may bypass the mediation process and move directly to fact-finding. Either party may request post-factfinding mediation; the findings of fact and recommended settlement terms from post-factfinding mediation may not be made public until the mediation has concluded.
AB 156 revises and shortens this impasse resolution process. AB 156 permits either the county or public authority employer or the employee organization to bypass mediation and proceed directly to factfinding, rather than through mutual agreement. After factfinding, AB 156l allows the parties, by mutual agreement, to request post-factfinding mediation. If either party declines to pursue post-factfinding mediation, the factfinding panel’s findings and recommended settlement terms must be made public immediately.
The Code requires a county board of supervisors in the jurisdiction where the impasse exists to hold a public hearing within 30 days after the factfinding report is released. If the parties do not reach a collective bargaining agreement within 30 days of the report’s release, the state may withhold 1991 Realignment funds from the county until the parties reach an agreement. The Welfare and Institutions Code previously set this timeframe for 90 days.
AB 156 took effect immediately on September 17, 2025, as a budget trailer bill.
(AB 156 amends Sections 53270 and 7926.300, and adds Sections 20508.4 and 20825.19 to the Government Code, and amends Sections 12300.4 and 12301.61, and adds Section 12316.9 to the Welfare and Institutions Code.)