Article 3. Use Of “spotter” Reports of California Public Utilities Code >> Division 4. >> Chapter 7. >> Article 3.

It is unlawful for any public service corporation, or agent, superintendent, or manager thereof, employing any special agent, detective, or person commonly known as a "spotter," for the purpose of investigating, obtaining, and reporting to the employer information concerning its employees, to discipline or discharge any employee, where such act of discipline or the discharge is based upon a report by such special agent, detective, or spotter, which report involves a question of integrity, honesty, or a breach of rules of the employer, unless such employer, its agent, superintendent, or manager, gives notice and accords a hearing to the employee thus accused, when requested by the employee. At such hearing the employer shall state specific charges on which act of discipline or discharge is based, and the accused employee shall have the right to furnish testimony in his defense.

Each violation of this article by any person, firm, association, or corporation is a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) and not more than six hundred dollars ($600), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. In case of a public service corporation committing any violation of this article, the imprisonment when imposed shall be imposed upon the officers or agents thereof committing such offense.