Existing California Paid Family Leave law provides up to eight (8) weeks of wage-replacement benefits through the family temporary disability insurance program for qualifying family-care and bonding purposes, including participation in a qualifying exigency related to the covered active duty of certain family members in the Armed Forces. Existing law generally defines “covered active duty” to involve deployment to a foreign country.
AB 2054 expands the definition of “covered active duty” for purposes of family temporary disability insurance. Beginning when the specified EDDNext claims-system change occurs, or July 1, 2028, whichever comes first, “covered active duty” will include military training, deployment that is not to a foreign country, and, for reserve-component members including the National Guard, a call or order to federal or state active duty. The change therefore expands the circumstances in which an employee may receive Paid Family Leave wage-replacement benefits for a qualifying exigency involving a spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent in the Armed Forces.
Employers should update Paid Family Leave and qualifying-exigency policies and leave administration procedures before the expanded definition becomes operative.
AB 2054 amends, repeals, and reenacts Section 3302.1 of the Unemployment Insurance Code.
