Last year, California enacted a law (SB 525) raising the minimum wage for many healthcare workers to as much as $25 per hour.  The minimum wage hikes were scheduled to take effect June 1, 2024.  However, California has a huge budget deficit, which makes compliance with the increased wages a challenge for the state.  Because of this, negotiations between state lawmakers have been ongoing to delay the implementation of the law.  In May, the wage increases were temporarily delayed by one month to July 1, 2024.  Now, the wage increases have been further delayed via state budget bills, which were passed this week.  Under one of the budget bills (SB 159), the healthcare worker minimum wage increases will take effect October 15, 2024 if state revenues exceed projections by at least 3% over the next three months.  If not, the wage increases will not take effect until January 1, 2025.  The amendment will be codified as California Labor Code section 1182.16.