(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the governing board of a school district that collects or deducts dues, agency fees, fair share fees, or any other fee or amount of money from the salary of a classified employee for the purpose of transmitting the money to an employee organization shall transmit the money to the employee organization within 15 days of issuing the paycheck containing the deduction to the employee.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the governing board of a school district with a pupil population exceeding 400,000, collects or deducts dues, agency fees, fair share fees, or any other fee or amount of money from the salary of a classified employee for the purpose of transmitting the money to an employee organization, the governing board shall transmit the money to the employee organization within 15 working days of issuing the paycheck containing the deduction to the employee.

(b) (1) This section does not limit the right of an employee organization or affected employee to sue for a failure of the employer to transmit dues or fees pursuant to this section.

(2) In an action brought for a violation of subdivision (a), the court may award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the prevailing party if any party to the action requests attorney’s fees and costs.

(c) This section applies to districts that have adopted the merit system in the same manner and effect as if it were a part of Article 6 (commencing with Section 45240).

(d) A school district or county office of education may not request, and the state board may not grant, a waiver of compliance with this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 109. Effective January 1, 2007.)