California has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 83) that will increase the maximum duration of paid family leave benefits.
Background:
Currently, California’s paid family leave (PFL) program provides up to six weeks of wage-replacement benefits to employees who take time off from work to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or domestic partner; or to bond with a new child entering the family through birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
Beginning January 1, 2021, employees may also be entitled to PFL benefits to participate in a qualifying exigency related to covered active duty or the call to covered active duty of their spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Senate Bill 83:
Effective July 1, 2020, the maximum duration for PFL benefits will increase from six weeks to eight weeks. The governor may propose extending PFL benefits to six months, though this has yet to be decided on.
Compliance Recommendations:
California employers should review policies and procedures to determine if changes are needed. Additionally, once available, employers must provide an updated Paid Family Leave (DE 2511) brochure to new hires and employees who request PFL leave.
Please contact your dedicated service professional with any questions.