ARTICLE 5. Uniform and Equipment Allowances [19850. - 19850.7.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 5.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 19850. Section 19850.

As used in this article: (a) “Uniform” means outer garments, excluding shoes, which are required to be worn exclusively while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the position and which are different from the design or fashion of the general population. This definition includes items that serve to identify the person, agency, functions performed, rank, or time in service. (b) “Work clothes” means attire that is worn over, or in place of, regular clothing and is necessary to protect the employee’s clothing from damage or stains which would be present in the normal performance of his or her duties, for example, aprons, lab smocks, shop coats, or coveralls; or is necessary for the required sanitary conditions, for example, agriculture inspectors, surgery personnel, or food service. (c) “Safety equipment” means equipment or attire worn over, in place of, or in addition to, regular clothing, which is necessary to protect the employees’ health and welfare, for example, helmets, goggles, safety harnesses, and fireman “turnout gear.” (d) “Police protective equipment” means equipment or attire worn by law enforcement personnel for the purpose of protecting themselves or the public from overt actions of others or to assist in the carrying out of related duties, for example, handgun, baton, billy, handcuffs, flashlight, whistle, leather belt, holster and cases or attachments. (e) “State employees” means employees of the state and its agencies, but does not include employees of the University of California or the California State University. Except as provided in Section 19850.7, if the provisions of this article are in conflict with the provisions of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if the provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 19850.1. Section 19850.1.

(a) State employees shall be responsible for the purchase of uniforms required as a condition of employment. The state shall provide for an annual uniform allowance to state employees for the replacement of uniforms worn on a full-time basis, and an annual uniform allowance to state employees for the replacement of uniforms worn on a part-time basis, in amounts agreed upon in a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (a), the state shall provide any employee, who is either excluded from the definition of state employee in subdivision (c) of Section 3513, or is a nonelected officer or employee of the executive branch of government who is not a member of the civil service, an annual uniform allowance for the replacement of uniforms worn on a full-time basis, and an annual uniform allowance for the replacement of uniforms worn on a part-time basis, in amounts determined by the department.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 19850.2. Section 19850.2.

Each state employee, including employees having probationary status, employed in a position which is permanent and full time, or employed in a position which is less than full time for the equivalent of one year, shall receive the allowance for uniforms provided for in Section 19850.1, if: (a) The uniform is clearly necessary for ready visual identification by the public for law enforcement, public safety, or other closely related purposes; and (b) The employee is required by his or her appointing power to wear the uniform for the regular performance of his or her duties; and (c) The uniform is authorized for wear only in an official capacity. If the provisions of this section are in conflict with the provisions of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if the provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 19850.3. Section 19850.3.

To implement the provisions of Sections 19850.1 and 19850.2, the department shall: (a) Establish a procedure to determine what articles are to be included in calculating the amount of the uniform allowance. (b) Determine the average annual replacement cost for each type of uniform based on required standards and taking into consideration normal uniform life. The uniform allowance for employees provided by subdivision (a) of Section 19850.1 shall be the average annual replacement cost as agreed upon in a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5. The uniform allowance for employees provided by subdivision (c) of Section 19850.1 shall be the average annual replacement cost as determined by the department. (c) Annually review uniform allowances and adjust them when necessary. (d) Determine procedure for and frequency of payment. (e) Determine when new employees become eligible. (f) Determine the need for changes in uniforms based on requests from appointing powers. (g) Determine what degree of need for identification is necessary to support a uniform requirement. (h) Establish procedures and make determinations as required. If the provisions of this section are in conflict with the provisions of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if the provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 19850.4. Section 19850.4.

Subject to the availability of funds appropriated specifically for that purpose, each state employee shall be furnished work clothes if: (a) The work clothes are required for purposes of sanitation or cleanliness; and (b) The work clothes are required by the appointing power; and (c) The work clothes are of a standard size instead of a measured size. Work clothes provided pursuant to this section will be maintained and owned by the state. Items lost or damaged due to the negligence of the employee, shall be replaced by the employee at his or her expense. If the provisions of this section are in conflict with the provisions of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if the provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 19850.5. Section 19850.5.

(a) The state shall furnish the initial issuance of all safety equipment and police protective equipment required by the employing state agency. All safety equipment and police protective equipment provided pursuant to this section shall remain the property of the state. Items lost or damaged due to the negligence of the employee, shall be replaced by the employee at his or her expense. (b) If the provisions of this section are in conflict with the provisions of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if the provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 19850.6. Section 19850.6.

The state department in which an employee is employed may pay the cost of replacing personal tools or other equipment required in the employee’s work when stolen from the jobsite without fault of the employee. The department shall adopt rules setting forth the criteria under which payment may be made, including the method of payment, determination of cost, and conditions which constitute absence of fault by the employee.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 19850.7. Section 19850.7.

In addition to other equipment furnished to peace officers within the Department of Corrections and the California Youth Authority, the department and the California Youth Authority, in accordance with the terms of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5, shall provide protective vests for peace officers within the department and the California Youth Authority. The protective vests shall be manufactured to specifications as agreed to by the state employer and the employee representative after consultation with appropriate state agencies. The protective vests shall cover the entire torso of a peace officer and shall be designed so that they are capable of protecting an officer against a knife attack.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026