Sample Press Release

First-of-Its-Kind Legislation

Will Make Family Leave More Family-Friendly

Governor Gray Davis today signed historic legislation to extend disability compensation to cover individuals who take time off of work to care for a new child or to care for a sick or injured family member.

"Californians should never have to make the choice between being good workers and being good parents," Gov. Davis said. "This is groundbreaking legislation. This bill will help millions of California workers meet their responsibilities to both their families and their employers. It sends a message around the world that California is pro-worker, pro-employer and pro-family."

SB 1661 by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) establishes the Family Temporary Disability Insurance program within the existing Disability Insurance program. This new program will expand disability coverage to individuals who demonstrate to a physician the need to take time off from work to care for a sick or injured family member, or for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a new child.

Studies show that three out of four workers who need to take Family Leave choose not to because they can't afford to go without a paycheck. This bill will aid families in balancing the demands between the workplace and home, reduce employee turnover by allowing paid job-protected leave and increase employee morale.

"This bill will make it easier for Californians to help their loved ones through a health crisis, without going broke in the process," added Governor Davis.

Under current law, the DI program provides disability payments to an eligible individual who is unable to perform his or her customary work due to a non-industrial injury, illness, or pregnancy.

Under SB 1661, beginning July 1, 2004, workers will be allowed to receive up to six weeks of paid leave per year to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent or domestic partner or to bond with a new child.

SB 1661 creates the Family Temporary Disability Insurance program that will be 100-percent funded by employees through the State Disability Insurance system. Key provisions of the bill include:

1. A one-week waiting period before workers can apply for the program;
2. Employers can require employees to use up to two weeks of unused vacation time before receiving paid leave;
3. Payments are capped at six weeks over a 12-month period and at 55 percent of wages, up to an annually-adjusted maximum.

As in the original federal and state Family Leave laws, small businesses with less than 50 employees are not required to hold a job open for a worker on leave.

*Issued by Gov. Grey Davis.

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