AB 2123 Improving Access to Paid Family Leave

California enacted AB 2123 to prevent barriers that inhibited or deterred eligible recipients from applying for and receiving Paid Family Leave (“PFL”).

PFL provides workers with partial wage replacement when they are off work so that they can provide care for a family member in special circumstances. Under the current law, employers can require an employee to take up to two weeks of accrued vacation before they can access PFL benefits. Starting January 1, 2025, an employer will no longer be able to require employees to utilize accrued vacation prior to utilizing PFL.

AB 2123 ensures that employees are not deterred from seeking PFL if they are eligible, merely because they are reluctant to use accrued vacation time, and also allows eligible employees to receive the benefit immediately.

If you have any questions, please contact your usual labor law counsel.