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SACRAMENTO — Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom introduced his budget proposal for the 2019-20 Fiscal Year. Included in the budget was a commitment to expand paid family leave to six months from the current six weeks. In addition to expanding the length of leave, the Administration will consider other changes—including alignment of existing worker protections and non-retaliation protections—to increase the ability of all workers to access these important benefits.
Phyllida Burlingame, Reproductive Justice & Gender Equity Director of the ACLU of California, issued the following statement in response:
Paid family leave is critical for helping people meet caregiving obligations and bond with children without putting their jobs at risk.
We are excited and grateful to see that Governor Newsom not only recognizes the value of paid family leave but understands that the current program does not adequately meet Californians’ needs.
Our state led the nation in creating the first paid family leave program in 2002—now it’s time to take the lead again by strengthening and expanding paid family leave.
