Beginning July 1, 2020, the maximum benefit period under California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program will increase from 6 weeks to 8 weeks during any 12-month period.  The PFL program, which is a part of California’s state disability insurance program, provides partial wage replacement benefits to workers who take time off from work:

• To care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or domestic partner; or
• To bond with a minor child within one year of the birth or placement of the child through foster care or adoption.

The PFL program does not provide any leave rights to employees.  Rather, PFL provides partial wage replacement to eligible employees.  In order for the leave to be protected, these employees must also qualify for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, the California New Parent Leave Act or any other applicable employer policy permitting time off from work for the above purposes.

The author would like to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Joanne Warriner.