CALIFORNIA LAW
CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE
Updated for 01.01.2016
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
(General Provisions enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
1. This act shall be known as the Labor Code.
(Enacted By Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
2. The provisions of this code, in so far as they are substantially the same as existing provisions relating to the same subject matter, shall be construed as restatements and continuations thereof and not as new enactments.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
3. All persons who, at the time this code goes into effect, hold office under any of the acts repealed by this code, which offices are continued by this code, continue to hold the same according to the former tenure thereof.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
4. No action or proceeding commenced before this code takes effect, and no right accrued, is affected by the provisions of this code, but all procedure thereafter taken therein shall conform to the provisions of this code so far as possible.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
5. Unless the context otherwise requires, the general provisions hereinafter set forth shall govern the construction of this code.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
6. Division, part, chapter, article, and section headings contained herein shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of the provisions of any division, part, chapter, article, or section hereof.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
7. Whenever, by the provisions of this code, an administrative power is granted to a public officer or a duty imposed upon such an officer, the power may be exercised or the duty performed by a deputy of the officer or by a person authorized pursuant to law.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
8. Writing includes any form of recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means. Whenever any notice, report, statement or record is required by this code, it shall be made in writing.
Wherever any notice or other communication is required by this code to be mailed by registered mail by or to any person or corporation, the mailing of such notice or other communication by certified mail shall be deemed to be a sufficient compliance with the requirements of law.
(Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1089, Sec. 1.)
9. Whenever any reference is made to any portion of this code or of any other law of this State, such reference shall apply to all amendments and additions thereto now or hereafter made.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
10. “Section” means a section of this code unless some other statute is specifically mentioned.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
11. The present tense includes the past and future tenses; and the future, the present.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
12. The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
12.1. The Legislature hereby declares its intent that the terms “man” or “men” where appropriate shall be deemed “person” or “persons” and any references to the terms “man” or “men” in sections of this code be changed to “person” or “persons” when such code sections are being amended for any purpose. This section is declaratory and not amendatory of existing law.
(Added by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1171.)
13. The singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
14. “County” includes “city and county.”
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
15. “Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
16. “Oath” includes affirmation.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
17. “Signature” or “subscription” includes mark when the signer or subscriber can not write, such signer’s or subscriber’s name being written near the mark by a witness who writes his own name near the signer’s or subscriber’s name; but a signature or subscription by mark can be acknowledged or can serve as a signature or subscription to a sworn statement only when two witnesses so sign their own names thereto.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
18. “Person” means any person, association, organization, partnership, business trust, limited liability company, or corporation.
(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1010, Sec. 178. Effective January 1, 1995.)
18.5. “Agency” means the Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 859, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2003.)
19. “Department” means Department of Industrial Relations.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
19.5. “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development.
(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 859, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2003.)
20. “Director” means Director of Industrial Relations.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
21. “Labor Commissioner” means Chief of the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
(Amended by Stats. 1976, Ch. 746.)
22. “Violation” includes a failure to comply with any requirement of the code.
(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 90.)
23. Except in cases where a different punishment is prescribed, every offense declared by this code to be a misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail, not exceeding six
