To: Board of Supervisors
From: Diana Becton, District Attorney
Report Title: FY2026-27 Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Application
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the District Attorney, or designee, to apply for and accept the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant from the California Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner’s Office, in an amount not to exceed $754,000 to continue to fund a Wage Theft Prevention Unit for the period August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If approved, the County will receive up to $754,000 for Fiscal Year 2026-27 from the State. No County match is required.
BACKGROUND:
The State of California has allocated $9 million in annual grant funding to the Department of Industrial Relations to be awarded to eligible public prosecutors throughout the state to support the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Program. In September 2026, the Labor Commissioner’s Office announced the solicitation to accept Workers' Rights Enforcement Grant applications for FY2026-27. The deadline to submit the FY2026-27 application is October 16, 2026.
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is applying for grant funding for FY2026-27 to continue supporting the Office’s Wage Theft Prevention Unit to combat wage theft, investigate and prosecute labor trafficking, and to prevent unfair competition. Grant funded activities may include evidence gathering, investigations, coordination with community organizations and law enforcement entities, criminal and/or civil prosecutions, resolutions, appeals, and settlements.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The District Attorney will be unable to apply for or receive the FY2026-27 Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant funding to assist in addressing the wage theft and labor trafficking issues in the county.