SHRM Inland Empire February News & Events - 2026 
Message from SHRM Inland Empire President
February often invites us to think about connection — not only in our personal lives, but in the professional relationships that shape our work and influence our impact.
In Human Resources, trust is our currency. Credibility is our foundation. And both are built — intentionally and consistently — through the relationships we cultivate. Whether we are guiding leaders through complex decisions, supporting employees during challenging moments, or navigating organizational change, our effectiveness depends not just on what we know, but on the confidence others place in us.
Trust is not established overnight. It is earned in the everyday interactions — through listening before advising, following through on commitments, and demonstrating integrity even when conversations are difficult. Credibility grows when our actions align with our values and when we remain steady in moments that test our resolve.
One of the reasons I value Inland Empire SHRM so deeply is because it provides a space where those relationships can flourish. Our chapter is more than a calendar of programs; it is a community of professionals who understand the responsibility we carry and who are willing to support one another in that work. Belonging within a professional community strengthens our leadership and sharpens our perspective.
As we continue into the year, I encourage you to stay connected and engaged. Our next program, “Ethics & Compliance Essentials,” will take place on Thursday, March 19th at the Riverside Chamber of Commerce. This session will explore the principles that underpin ethical decision-making and compliance — topics that sit at the heart of trust and credibility in our profession. I hope you’ll join us for what promises to be an insightful and practical discussion.
Connection also extends to service. We are currently seeking members interested in stepping into leadership roles within the chapter, including vacancies for our Sponsorship Director and Sponsorship Chair positions. In addition, we welcome volunteers who are eager to serve on committees supporting programming, initiatives, and our Annual Conference. These roles are meaningful opportunities to deepen your involvement, expand your network, and help shape the experience of our HR community across the Inland Empire.
If you have ever considered becoming more engaged, I encourage you to take that step. Our chapter thrives because of the time, talent, and care our volunteers bring forward.
Thank you for the professionalism, integrity, and heart you bring to this work each day. I look forward to continuing to build a community rooted in trust, credibility, and connection.
Warm regards,
Michael Macias
President, Inland Empire SHRM
Upcoming Events
March 19, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Riverside Chamber of Commerce | 3985 University Ave | Riverside, CA 92501
Explore the ethical responsibilities of HR, review compliance requirements, and
gain practical tools to ensure accountability and fairness in workplace practices.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand HR’s ethical obligations and compliance mandates
- Apply frameworks for ethical decision-making
- Identify common compliance pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Strengthen organizational integrity through HR practices
Schedule of Events: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Program Presentation
Who Should Attend: HR professionals, compliance officers, business leaders
Credits: Approved for (1) HRCI and (1) SHRM recertification credit
Welcome New Members
Please join us in welcoming the newest members of SHRM Inland Empire! We’re proud to have you as part of our growing community of HR professionals and leaders. Your experience and perspective strengthen our chapter and support our shared commitment to advancing the people profession in 2026.
Welcome:
- Reeshermah Sabree, Redwood Family Care Network
- Mackenzie Patterson, Naviant, Inc.
- Araceli Caldera, Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice
- Jacqueline Leotaud, Air Control Systems
- Jessica Patino, Steadfast Security, Inc.
- Martha Butler, American Medical Response
- Satyrah Huggins, Arizona State University
- Lisset Gallegos, UFCW Local 1167
- Panayiota Pieratos, Hodson P.I., LLC
- Lorraine Duran, University of California, Riverside
We’re excited to connect, collaborate, and grow together this year.
SHRM Foundation Fundraising Event
Rock & Brews in Corona SHRM Foundation Fundraiser
February 20, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Rock & Brews | 3550 Grand Oaks, Corona, CA 92881
Venue website
Join us on the 3rd Friday of every month to eat, drink, and do good! Inland Empire SHRM and Rock & Brews in Corona has partnered to host an ongoing fundraising initiative in support of the SHRM Foundation. Simply inform your server that you are part of the “FUN-draiser” on every 3rd Friday of the month, at Rock & Brews in Corona for dine-in or takeout orders and Rock & Brews will donate 20% of your purchase to the SHRM Foundation. The SHRM Foundation is the 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm of the Society for Human Resource Management. The SHRM Foundation's mission is to mobilize the power of HR and activate the generosity of donors to lead positive social change impacting all things work. The Foundation is committed to elevating and empowering HR as a social force through innovative solutions to workplace inclusion challenges, programming designed to inspire and empower the next generation of HR leaders, and awarding scholarships and professional development grants to educate and develop students and HR professionals.
Why Support the SHRM Foundation?
The SHRM Foundation works tirelessly to address critical challenges facing the workplace, including skills gaps, veteran employment, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Your participation helps fund initiatives that support HR professionals and drive positive change in workplaces across the globe.
Legal News
On October 7, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (“SB”) 848, a comprehensive bill intended to address pupil safety and school employee misconduct disclosure requirements for both public and private schools. As addressed below, in addition to other new legal obligations such as egregious misconduct verification for all staff and school safety plan content additions, SB 848 expands the scope of who qualifies as a mandated reporter in schools and adds mandated reporting and training requirements.[1]
Definition of “Mandated Reporter”
The Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (“Act”), codified in California Penal Code sections 11164 et seq., establishes procedures for the reporting and investigation of suspected child abuse or neglect. The Act requires certain professionals, including teachers, instructional aides, and classified employees, known as “mandated reporters,” to report known or reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect to a local law enforcement agency or a county welfare or probation department. Failure by a mandated reporter to report an incident of known or reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect is a misdemeanor.
Effective January 1, 2026, SB 848 amends Penal Code section 11165.7 by expanding the “mandated reporter” definition to include: school volunteers, as defined; board members; and contractors whose duties require contact with or supervision of pupils. Specifically, SB 848 states:
(a) As used in this article, “mandated reporter” is defined as any of the following:
(1) An employee, volunteer, or governing board or body member of a school district, county office of education, charter school, or private school. For purposes of this paragraph, a volunteer is a person who is over 18 years of age and who interacts with pupils outside of the immediate supervision and control of the pupil’s parent or guardian or a school employee.
(2) An employee, volunteer, or board member of a public or private school, contractor to a school district, county office of education, charter school, state special school or diagnostic center operated by the State Department of Education, or private school whose duties require contact with or supervision of pupils at that school district, county office of education, charter school, state special school or diagnostic center operated by the State Department of Education, or private school. For purposes of this paragraph, a volunteer is a person who is over 18 years of age and who interacts with pupils outside of the immediate supervision and control of the pupil’s parent or guardian or a school employee.
(3) An employee or volunteer assigned to a state special school or diagnostic center operated by the State Department of Education. For purposes of this paragraph, a volunteer is a person who is over 18 years of age and who interacts with pupils outside of the immediate supervision and control of the pupil’s parent or guardian or a school employee.
Training Requirements for Mandated Reporters
Existing law requires that school districts, county offices of education, state special schools and diagnostic centers operated by the State Department of Education, and charter schools annually train mandated reporters in accordance with Education Code section 44691. Existing law also requires a process for all persons required to receive such training to submit proof of training completion either within the first six weeks of each school year or within the first six weeks of that person’s employment. As of January 1, 2026, SB 848 now applies these training requirements to school and county board of education members and contractors as defined above. SB 848 also requires Board members and contractors who work with students to submit proof of completion of mandated reporter training.
Effective July 1, 2026, SB 848 extends these training requirements to private schools and school volunteers as defined above and requires mandated reporters to submit proof of training within the first six weeks of each school year, within the first six weeks of that person’s employment, or within six weeks of commencing volunteer service, as applicable. Entities may use an online training module provided by the State Department of Social Services or an equivalent training module developed specifically to meet SB 848 requirements. As of July 1, 2026, SB 848 requires all mandated reporters, including the category of volunteers as defined, to submit proof of completion of mandated reporter training within six weeks of service and annually thereafter.
Please contact your AALRR attorney or the authors of this Alert if you have any questions or need assistance with SB 848 compliance requirements.
[1] Read more about the changes under SB 848 to the egregious misconduct verification process here: https://www.aalrr.com/newsroom-alerts-4185
This AALRR publication is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in reaching a conclusion in a particular area of law. Applicability of the legal principles discussed may differ substantially in individual situations. Receipt of this or any other AALRR publication does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Firm is not responsible for inadvertent errors that may occur in the publishing process.
©2026 Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
The HR Huddle
March 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Virtual (Zoom)
Add to Calendar
The HR Huddle series is a valuable resource for HR professionals, offering a monthly deep-dive into the latest legal updates, trends, and best practices in employment law. This collaboration with the legal experts of AALRR equips HR professionals and business leaders with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of the workplace, ensuring they stay ahead in a field that's constantly evolving. In this series, here insights and best practices on topics related to compliance, policy-making, and employee relations, these webinars are designed to strengthen the skills necessary for the dynamic and demanding world of human resources.
The HR Huddle Occurs Every 2nd Tuesday.
There is NO COST TO YOU!
