Tag Archives: AB 5

Legislation update: AB 5 may exempt freelance writers but PRO Act passes

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Carolyn Crist

About Carolyn Crist

Carolyn Crist (@cristcarolyn) helps AHCJ’s freelance members find the resources, tips and contacts they need to create and run a successful business. A freelance journalist and author, Crist covers health, medicine and science stories for national news outlets such as Reuters, Runner’s World and Parade. She also writes for trade and custom publications. Contact her at carolyn@healthjournalism.org.

A view of Congress

Photo by Sean Stayte via flickr

Independent contractor legislation continues to shift quickly at both the state and national levels — with writers and editors waiting to see what happens next.

First, California legislators may ease restrictions against writers and photographers, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Feb. 6.

Assembly Bill 5, which went into effect in California on Jan. 1, established a cap that limits freelancers to 35 submissions per publication per year. The law has already affected freelancers and publications, including several AHCJ members. Continue reading →

Freelance journalists sue California over new AB 5 law

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Carolyn Crist

About Carolyn Crist

Carolyn Crist (@cristcarolyn) helps AHCJ’s freelance members find the resources, tips and contacts they need to create and run a successful business. A freelance journalist and author, Crist covers health, medicine and science stories for national news outlets such as Reuters, Runner’s World and Parade. She also writes for trade and custom publications. Contact her at carolyn@healthjournalism.org.

california-flag-on-the-round-button-isolated-on-white_fyCzJLi_Two of the leading national journalism organizations that serve freelance writers, editors, photographers and visual journalists filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to challenge California’s new rules for independent contractors. Assembly Bill 5, or AB 5, takes effect on Jan. 1, so the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the National Press Photographers Association filed now to ask for an injunction.

The bill, which was drafted to curb unfair practices in the gig economy and signed into law in September, requires companies to take on contractors as employees if they meet certain requirements. Continue reading →