SHRM Advocacy Gets Results on California AI, Workplace Privacy Bills

California lawmakers recently considered two high-profile bills that would have reshaped how employers use artificial intelligence and workplace monitoring. Thanks to sustained engagement by SHRM and the California State Council of SHRM (SHRM California), both proposals, Assembly Bill 1018 and AB 1331, were moved to the inactive file and did not advance this session. This represents an important advocacy win for the HR profession and a reminder of the value of bringing practical workplace insights into the policymaking process.

Both bills addressed timely workplace issues, but as drafted, they posed challenges for workers and employers alike. AB 1018's broad definition of AI risked discouraging the responsible use of tools that, when paired with human judgment, can help reduce bias, improve compliance, and expand opportunity. Meanwhile, AB 1331's prescriptive limits on workplace monitoring, while well intentioned, could have made it harder for employers to protect employees, prevent misconduct, and respond to safety concerns.

The perspective of SHRM remains clear: Workplace technology policy should strike the right balance — protecting employee rights and privacy while enabling organizations to use tools that enhance safety, innovation, and productivity. By bringing research, data, and real-world HR expertise to the table, SHRM and SHRM California ensured these proposals did not move forward in their current forms while signaling readiness to work with policymakers on future legislation that supports both workers and workplaces.

This result demonstrates the power of advocacy in action. With technology rapidly transforming the workplace, SHRM will continue to be a collaborative partner for policymakers — helping design solutions that protect employees, empower employers, and strengthen the future of work.

You can read SHRM and SHRM California's letters of opposition to AB 1018 and AB 1331 for additional detail on how these proposals would have impacted workplaces.