Governor Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 1383 (“SB 1383”) which provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave under the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”) to employers with as few as five employees beginning on January 1, 2021., Under the Bill, employees of most California employers will be eligible for leaves of absence: (1) for the birth of a child; (2) for adoption or foster care placement of a child; (3) to care for a seriously ill family member; and/or (4) to care for the employee’s own serious health condition.

SB 1383 also expands the definition of a “seriously ill family member” to include grandparents, grandchildren and siblings. Eligible employees are also permitted to take CFRA leave for exigencies related to a covered active duty or call to covered active duty of the employee’s spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent in the Armed Forces of the United States.

All employers who employ five or more employees should review their CFRA and related leave policies and practices with their legal counsel to ensure compliance with these changes.

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.