California Paid Family Leave Expansion Proposed

The California Manufacturers and Technology Association reports that two bills expanding that state's paid family leave program have reached Gov. Schwarzenegger.

After much debate and lobbying, both AB 537 (position letter)  (Sandré Swanson, D-Oakland) and SB 727 (position letter)  (Sheila Kuehl, D-Malibu) reached the Governor's desk for consideration.  If these bills are signed, it will result in the expansion of the California Family Responsibility Act (CFRA) and Paid Family Leave insurance program (PFL).  Both of these bills have the potential to dramatically increase absences at the workplace and be an additional burden on employers.

According to CMTA, AB 537

Amends the California Family Rights Act to expand the definition of family members with a serious medical condition to whom a covered employee may take unpaid leave to attend. Also increases the circumstances under which an employer is responsible for providing protected leave pursuant to the Act by eliminating the age and dependency elements from the definition of “child” and changes the definition of “parent.”

And SB 727

Expands the scope of the family temporary disability insurance program to include grandparents, grandchildren, parents-in-law, and siblings within the definition of "family member," and makes conforming and clarifying changes in provisions relating to family temporary disability compensation.

Washington employers and lawmakers concerned about the evolution of our state's emerging paid family leave program have only to look south to see our future. And so it grows.