Larry Klein
Mayor
Richard Mehlinger
Vice Mayor
Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember
Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember
Linda Sell
Councilmember
Charlsie Chang
Councilmember
Eileen Le
Councilmember
September 15, 2026
T
he Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
R
E: Assembly Bill 1961 (Ahrens): Workplace Violence Restraining Orders –
REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE
D
ear Governor Newsom,
O
n behalf of the City of Sunnyvale, we respectfully request that you sign AB 1961 into law. AB 1961 would strengthen California’s workplace violence restraining order laws by allowing employers to seek protections for an entire workplace when credible threats are directed at a location rather than a specific individual employee.
A
cross California, public agencies, schools, hospitals, and local governments are increasingly confronted with threats aimed broadly at workplaces, campuses, and public facilities. Too frequently, employers encounter significant barriers when attempting to obtain restraining orders if they cannot identify a single named employee as the target of the threat. AB 1961 addresses this critical gap by authorizing courts to issue workplace violence restraining orders protecting an entire workplace or worksite when threats are directed at the location itself.
F
or cities like Sunnyvale, this legislation provides an important tool to help safeguard public employees and the communities they serve. Municipal workplaces regularly interact with members of the public and may face situations involving threatening communications or behavior directed at city facilities, service centers, or staff collectively. AB 1961 appropriately recognizes that credible threats to a workplace can endanger all employees present, even when no specific individual is named.
D
PS supports AB 1961 because it advances General Plan Goal SN -3 (Safe and Secure City) by strengthening protections for employees and the public against credible threats of violence. Municipal facilities regularly serve the public and may face threats directed at workplaces rather than specific individuals. Allowing broader workplace violence restraining orders supports Sunnyvale’s commitment to proactive crime prevention, rapid response, and maintaining safe public facilities.
The bill thoughtfully balances workplace safety with due process considerations by focusing restraining orders on clearly identifiable workplaces and locations. This Attachment 12
The Honorable Gavin Newsom, Governor
September 15, 2026
practical approach will help employers act swiftly to prevent violence and protect workers before threats escalate into harm.
For these reasons, the City of Sunnyvale respectfully requests that you sign AB 1961 into law and appreciates your consideration of this important legislation. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Chief Daniel Pistor, Director of Public Safety at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Larry Klein
Mayor
Cc: Assembly Member Patrick Ahrens
City Council
Tim Kirby, City Manager
Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Daniel Pistor, Director of Public Safety
Attachment 12