The California legislature is in the process of creating new laws. The below bills have passed one branch and are pending in the other. Before they can become law, the other legislative branch must pass them by September 14, 2023, and the Governor must sign them by October 14. Some of the pending bills will, undoubtedly, become law.

SB*616 will increase the minimum paid sick leave that California employers must offer from 24 hours (3 days) to 56 hours (7 days) per year. It would increase the amount of possible sick leave accrual to 112 hours (14 days). Many cities in California had already decided that the 3 days of State sick leave was not enough and enacted greater amounts of sick leave. For instance, the city of San Diego allows employees to take 40 hours (5 days) of paid sick leave and allows employees to accrue 80 hours (10 days). SB 616 will allow for greater sick leave than most, if not all, California cities, leaving them superfluous.

AB*524 will add “family caregiver” as a protected group under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). That would mean that a person designated as a caregiver will be protected from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the same way that other groups (race, religion, sex, etc.) receive protection.

SB 399 prohibits retaliation when an employee refuses to listen to an employer’s religious or political messages.

SB 553 will require employers to develop a workplace violence protection plan, which will include: a log of all violent incidents, active shooter training, shop lifter training, etc.

SB 848 allows an employee to take 5 days leave after a miscarriage or failed adoption. Either parent may take such leave.

SB 731 will require an employer to give 30 days of notice before requiring an at-home employee to return to the regular workplace.

SB 525 raises the minimum wage for healthcare workers to $21 per hour on June 1, 2024 and to $25 per hour on June 1, 2025. It will apply to: hospitals, clinics, residential care facilities, urgent care, physician groups, and some in-home care workers.

*SB-Senate Bill; AB-Assembly Bill

Employment Law Office of Ward Heinrichs
4565 Ruffner Street, Suite 207
San Diego, CA 92111
858-292-0792
(858)408-7543 (fax)