California Law Increasing Paid Leave Benefits Signed by Newsom

California’s paid family and medical leave benefits will expand under legislation Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Friday in an effort to make the program affordable for low-income workers.

The measure (SB 951) will increase the benefits to 90% of weekly income for low-wage workers beginning in 2025. Other workers will receive 70% up to a cap, currently $1,539 weekly but adjusting each year based on average statewide wages.

Without the new law, California’s paid leave benefits would have reverted to a 55% income replacement for all workers, the lowest rate of any state-run paid leave program in ...