California to expand paid family leave for new parents

Reuters

California will increase the amount of money new parents can receive through the state’s paid family leave program under a bill to be signed on Monday by Democratic Governor Jerry Brown.
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% of their regular income for the poorest workers, up from 55%.
Those earning more would still get an increase in payments, to 60% from 55%. 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 assemblymember.