California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act under Labor Code 245-249 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees statewide. SB 616 (2023) raised the minimum to 40 hours or five days annually effective January 2024, applying universally.
Labor Code 245-249 requires every California employer to provide paid sick leave to employees who work 30 or more days in a year. SB 616 (2023) increased the minimum accrual to 40 hours or 5 days per year, effective January 1, 2024. Employees accrue at least one hour for every 30 hours worked or receive a lump-sum frontload. Local governments are not preempted and may enact more generous paid leave; San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Santa Monica require more. State Paid Family Leave (Unemployment Insurance Code 3300-3306) also applies statewide.
Violations subject employers to administrative penalties, back wages, treble damages up to $4,000, and civil penalties under Labor Code 248.5 enforced by the Labor Commissioner.
See how Arcata's paid leave preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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