As of July 1, 2025, California employers, including private schools, are required to provide a new employee notice issued by the Civil Rights Department (CRD) concerning leave and accommodations for victims of crime or abuse. This requirement stems from AB 2499, which went into effect on January 1, 2025, and expanded both leave rights and accommodation protections under state law.
AB 2499 allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave if they are a victim of certain acts of violence, or if they are the family member of someone who has died as a result of such an act. Covered acts include domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other forms of serious violence. Employers are also required to consider and, where appropriate, provide safety-related accommodations to affected employees.
The CRD’s updated materials include a model notice and a set of frequently asked questions. These materials provide important guidance regarding when employees may request time off, what types of accommodations may be appropriate, and the protections in place against discrimination and retaliation. The FAQs clarify that employees may support their leave or accommodation requests with a variety of documentation, such as police or court records, letters from service providers, or a signed statement from the employee or someone acting on their behalf.
Schools are required to provide the notice (or a substantially similar version) to employees:
Note: Schools should ensure this new notice is distributed as required and should review and update employee handbooks to reflect the expanded rights under AB 2499. It is also important to train administrative and HR staff on how to respond to requests for leave or accommodations under this law. LCW is available to assist with making these handbook updates and providing training for administrators.