Earlier this month, the CA Senate passed SB-114, and the governor signed it into law. The bill applies to employers with 26 or more employees and creates a new bank of up to 80 hours of paid sick leave related to COVID-19. The law went into effect on February 19, 2022, and is retroactively applicable from January 1, 2022, until September 30, 2022. We wanted to make sure you were aware.

For employers with more than 25 employees, an employee qualifies for up to 40 hours of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) if they’re unable to work or telework due to the following:

• The employee is subject to a quarantine or isolation period related to COVID-19.

• The employee has been advised by a health care provider to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19.

• The employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking a medical diagnosis.

• The employee is caring for a family member who’s subject to a government-mandated quarantine; or who has been advised by a health care provider to isolate or quarantine.

• The covered employee is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed or otherwise unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19 on the premises.

• The employee is attending an appointment for themselves or a family member to receive a vaccine or a vaccine booster for protection against COVID-19.

• The employee is experiencing symptoms or caring for a family member experiencing symptoms, related to a COVID-19 vaccine or vaccine booster that prevents the employee from working or teleworking.

An employee may then qualify for up to another 40 hours if the employee tested positive for COVID-19 or is caring for a family member who tested positive. If the employee requests this second 40-hour bank, an employer may require testing on day 5 after the initial positive test. If an employee is caring for a family member and requests this second 40-hour bank, an employer may also require the employee to produce the family member’s positive test. If the employee refuses to test or disclose tests, they are not entitled to this second bank.

For more information, please consult your human resource and/or legal professionals for how to best manage this new law for your company. 

The Alhambra Chamber is currently tracking and supporting legislation that would provide additional funds to businesses at the state and local level. We continue to track dozens of business-related bills at the state and local level that can benefit (or harm businesses), and we fight on your behalf accordingly. Please reach out if there is an issue you’d like the Chamber to address on your behalf. Simply call us at (626) 282-8481.