A bill by a State Senator from Santa Barbara which intended to provide new job protection for new parents has hit a key milestone.
The State Senate passed SB 1166, which would guarantee 12 weeks of job protected maternity, and paternity leave for new mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents. The legislation by Democratic State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara is intended to help employees of small businesses.
People who work for large businesses already are eligible for the 12 week leave, but current state law pre-empts businesses with less than 50 employees from supplying the same leave.
The bill now goes to the State Assembly for consideration.
