[dragonwriter]

> Multiple states have a similar law

There is also a federal WARN Act.

> They usually work around this by providing a “severance” that covers the legal period of time before they have to notify their employees;

This is, IIRC, possible in some state systems and under the federal WARN Act, its technically not possible under the California WARN, though the somewhat similar practice of fully-paid no-duties “employment” for the notice period is. This is worse in some respects (a during-employment non-compete can remain in place) and better in others (you are employed for health benefits purposes, so the COBRA clock of 18 or 36 months doesn’t start until the end, not the beginning, of the notice period, etc.)