California NonCompete Law: California strengthens its ban on noncompete agreements. In January 2023, the FTC issued a proposed rule which was subject to a 90day public comment period.Los Angeles employment lawyers on what a noncompete agreement is and whether it is valid in California. Call for a free legal consultation. Pursuant to this rule, it will now be unlawful for employers to enter noncompete agreements with workers on or after the rule's effective date. Many scholars believe that California has a settled public policy in favor of open competition. Click here to read more about non-competition clauses. While I initially started my firm from a onebed apartment in New Jersey, we now have offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. California: On September 1, 2023, California enacted SB 699, expanding the state's ban on noncompetition agreements in employment contracts. The Commission proposed the NonCompete Clause Rule on January 19, 2023 pursuant to sections 5 and 6(g) of the FTC Act.