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The measure,
passed last month by the state legislature, would increase the
amount paid to new parents or people caring for a sick family
member to as much as 70 percent of their regular income for the
poorest workers, up from 55 percent.
Those earning more would still get an increase in payments, to
60 percent from 55 percent. The state also plans to eliminate a
seven-day waiting period imposed on receiving the benefits.
The legislation aims to help more people take family leave,
especially poorer Californians who could not afford to stop work
if they only got 55 percent of their regular income, according
to the bill's author Jimmy Gomez, a Democratic assembly member.
The program, administered through the state's disability system,
would apply to all parents who take off time from work to bond
with a child within one year of birth, adoption or placement as
a foster child. It would also provide payments to people who
take time to care for seriously ill family members.
(Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Andrew Hay)
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