Effective July 1, 2020, the maximum duration of Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits in California will increase from six weeks to eight weeks.
Individuals may receive benefits from California’s state disability insurance (SDI) program:
- To care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or domestic partner.
- To bond with a minor child within one year of the birth or placement of the child through foster care or adoption.
The PFL program is not a leave right and does not provide job protection, but other state and federal laws such as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and the Parental Leave law may provide some job protection for eligible employees. The new law extending PFL benefits also requires the governor to propose, by November 2019, further benefit increases and job protections for individuals receiving PFL benefits, including an increase in PFL duration “to a full six months by 2021–22.”
Before the increase in PFL takes place, employers should consider reviewing and revising leave policies, procedures and practices, as well as their parental or other paid leave benefits, with their legal counsel to ensure compliance.
The information presented is not intended to be, and does not constitute, “legal advice.” Because each situation varies, and only brief summary information is provided here, you should not use this information as a basis for action unless you have independently verified with your own counsel that it applies to your particular situation.
Leave a Reply