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State Lawmakers Vote To Ease Employment Rules For CA Freelancers
Freelance writers, musicians and translators may be getting exemptions from California’s strict new employment rules under a bill passed Monday night by the state legislature that now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature.
The move comes after pushback from California freelancers who said AB 5 — a law that went into effect at the start of 2020 — drove their clients to cut ties with them and instead hire out-of-state freelancers who weren’t as much of a legal liability.
Here are some of the changes outlined in the new bill:
It would strike down the 35-submission cap for freelance writers and photographers. Under current rules, any California-based freelancer who contributes more than 35 submissions to an outlet per year must be reclassified as an employee.
It would add translators, appraisers and registered foresters to the “professional services” exemption. This exemption currently covers graphic designers, travel agents and marketers, among others.
- It would allow workers in much of the music industry to continue working as freelancers. The list of exemptions includes recording artists, songwriters, producers, promoters and many others.
READ OUR FULL STORY ON AB 2257 HERE:
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