California Law Limits Defamation Claims From Harassers (1)

A new California law protects employers and workers from defamation lawsuits stemming from credible sexual harassment claims related to an employee.

Gov. Jerry Brown (D) on July 9 signed A.B. 2770, written by Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin (D), in response to concerns that California’s defamation laws deter victims, witnesses, and former employees from making complaints or sharing information about harassers with others. The law is a product of hearings in early 2018, when lawmakers explored ways to respond to the #MeToo movement.

“I was happy to author this California Chamber of Commerce job-creator bill this year. During the early days ...