California’s New Miscarriage Law Gives Boost to Rare Leave Type

California’s new guarantee of time off from work following a miscarriage or other reproductive loss is part of a nascent movement to ensure leave for grieving and recovering would-be parents.

The new California measure (SB 848) will require businesses to grant employees up to five days off following a reproductive loss, which includes a miscarriage or stillbirth or a failed adoption, in-vitro fertilization, or surrogacy.

The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2024, doesn’t require that the leave be paid, but it does ban employers from retaliating against workers who take the time off.

California is the second ...