CALIFORNIA UCP BUDGET UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 - Monday afternoon

Governor Signs SB 1661 That Extends Disability Compensation for Family Leave

Governor Davis signed Monday afternoon (September 23), SB 1661 by Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) that expands the family leave act to provide disability compensation for any individual who is unable to work due to the employee's own sickness or injury, the sickness or injury of a family member, or the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a new child.

The controversial legislation passed the Assembly 46-31 on August 27, and passed in the Senate with a bare majority vote of 21-11 on August 30 (approving the amendments made in the Assembly).

The measure was hotly debated, with small business groups and advocates particularly opposed to the bill claiming it would end up costing them in staff replacements and training. Many non-profit organizations also opposed the bill. Labor groups, including the United Farm Workers,California State Employees Associations, and other public interest groups including the Older Womens League, Children NOW, and Jericho supported the bill.

BACKGROUND ON  SB 1661
DISABILITY COMPENSATION: FAMILY TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE
By Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica)
MOST CURRENT STATUS: APPROVED by the Governor 9/23/02.
NEXT STEPS: Benefits would be payable for leaves that begin on or after 7/1/04.
WHAT THE BILL DOES (Reflects Final Amendments Dated 8/23/02): Provides disability compensation for any individual who is unable to work due to the employee's own sickness or injury, the sickness or injury of a family member, or the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a new child.
* Establishes, within the state disability insurance program, a family temporary
disability insurance program to provide up to 6 weeks of wage replacement benefits to workers who take time off work to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, domestic partner, or to bond with a new child.
* Provides the additional benefits through additional employee contributions.
* Authorizes employers to require that employees utilize up to 2 weeks of earned but unused vacation leave prior to that employee's receipt of these additional benefits, as provided, and specify that these provisions may not be construed to relieve an employer of any collective bargaining duties.
* These benefits would be payable for leaves that begin on and after July 1, 2004.
IMPACT ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES/MENTAL ILLNESS/FAMILIES/SENIORS: Direct impact to people with disabilities, seniors or their families if they wanted to use the leave and work in businesses or organizations that fall under the provisions of the bill (to care for the person with disabilities or other family member)
IMPACT ON VENDORS/PROVIDERS/STAFF: Very significant potential impact on providers,
depending on how many (and how often) direct care staff use this leave, by adding some levels of cost (either through staff replacement or overtime or other related
expenses), at a time when these services continue to be serious underfunded by the
State.
IMPACT ON STATE IMPLEMENTATION OF OLMSTEAD DECISION: No direct impact.
 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Marty Omoto, Legislative Director
CA Coalition of United Cerebral Palsy Associations
1225 8th Street Suite 480 Sacramento, CA 95814
916/446-3204  FAX: 916/446-3206 email: martyomoto@rcip.com
Coalition Chair: Michael Williams (UCP of the Golden Gate)
Immediate Past Chair: Ron Cohen (UCP LA and Ventura Counties)