Unlike the old CA-SPSL, the law that only covered companies with 500 or more employees, the new law applies to companies with more than 25 employees.

Reasons Covered in the New Licensing Law

The new CA-SPSL allows employees to take paid leave when they cannot work or telecommute, which means that the new law applies even to people who do not leave home to work.

New covered reasons for leave include situations where you:

• are subject to a COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation period as defined by an order or guidelines from the State Department of Public Health, CDC, or a local health official with jurisdiction over the workplace,
• were recommended by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19-related concerns,
• must attend an appointment to receive a protective vaccine against COVID-19,
• you are experiencing symptoms caused by a COVID-19 vaccine, which prevents you from working or telecommuting,
• are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and are seeking a medical diagnosis,
• you are caring for a family member who is subject to a quarantine or isolation order or guidelines, or a healthcare provider has recommended that you self-quarantine,
• you are caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

Number of License Days

The law requires employers to provide full-time employees with a new assignment of up to 80 hours of CA-SPSL by 2021 (with some exceptions for firefighters).

Part-time employees who work regular hours are entitled to the total number of hours they are typically scheduled to work in a two-week period. Part-time employees with variable hours are entitled to the average number of hours in the previous six months or during the period that the employee has worked for the employer. Employees who have worked 14 days or less are entitled to receive the total number of hours worked for the employer.

Like the previous law, CA-SPSL must be available by written or oral request.