A State Senator for Santa Barbara has introduced the latest in her series of bills intended to improve California’s family leave laws. SB 135 would extend the amount of time workers can take off to care for a newborn child, or to take care of a seriously ill family member.
It would expand compensation for family members taking time off, to help them afford to do it. It would also provide new protections to keep workers from being fired by their employers for taking family leave. The program is funded by employees.
SB 135 is authored by Democratic State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson. Jackson says she was inspired to introduce the legislation after new Governor Gavin Newsom said he supports expanding paid family leave.