Governor Brown Signs SB 770 Expanding Family Disability Insurance Benefits

Yesterday, California Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 770 which expands California’s temporary family disability insurance program.  Under the new law, employees who take time off to care for a seriously ill sibling, parent-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild are also eligible for up to 6 weeks of family disability leave benefits.  The prior law granted those benefits only when the employee was caring for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, domestic partner, or engaged in baby bonding.

SB 770, which was sponsored by Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), adds to and amends several sections of the California Unemployment Insurance Code.  It takes effect July 1, 2014.  You can find the full text of SB 770 here.