Existing law creates the Department of Human Resources, which is headed by the Director of the Department of Human Resources, and commits to the director the duty to the administer and enforce the laws relating to personnel. Pursuant to this authority, the department prescribes rules regarding leave. Existing law creates the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and grants it jurisdiction over specified prisons and institutions. Existing law requires an open examination for the position of correctional officer, correctional program supervisor, and other custodial positions that normally afford entry into the department's service to include a demonstration of the physical ability to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position, as specified.
This bill would require the Department of Human Resources, in cooperation with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, to establish a policy pursuant to which a pregnant correctional officer shall be permitted to perform alternate, light duty assignments, subject to a medical certification that establishes the nature of pregnancy-related limitations. The bill would require the policy to include specified elements. The bill would require the Department of Human Resources to complete the policy by May 1, 2021, and provide it directly to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which would be required to adopt it on or before July 1, 2021.