SB00001 - Earned Family and Medical Leave

• Establishes a Family and Medical Leave Compensation Program administered by the Labor Department that provides up to 12 workweeks of paid leave per 12-month period for eligible employees starting July 1, 2020.

• Creates a Family and Medical Leave Compensation Trust Fund financed by employee contributions (minimum $4 million per month required), with contributions beginning July 1, 2019, to provide compensation at 100% of average weekly earnings up to $1,000 per week.

• Expands leave eligibility to employees earning at least $2,325 in their highest earning quarter within the past five quarters and reduces employer threshold from 75 to 2 employees; expands qualifying reasons to include care for grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings.

• Allows self-employed persons and sole proprietors to voluntarily enroll in the program for minimum 3-year initial periods with employer-provided benefits not reduced by program compensation.

• Requires employers to provide notice to employees of family and medical leave rights and prohibits retaliation for requesting or using such leave; establishes Labor Commissioner complaint procedures with possible awards of back wages and reinstatement.