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SB 590

TO CREATE THE RECIDIVISM REDUCTION SYSTEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Howard Beaty and 1 co-sponsor

SB 590 expands California's Paid Family Leave, allowing employees to take paid time off to care for seriously ill designated persons, enhancing support for diverse caregiving relationships.

Notification that SB590 is now Act 769
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 590

Summary of SB 590: Paid Family Leave - Eligibility for Care of Designated Persons

Bill Number: SB 590
Introduced: February 20, 2025
Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 772, Statutes of 2025.
Effective Date: July 1, 2028

Purpose and Intent

SB 590 aims to expand the eligibility criteria for California's Paid Family Leave (PFL) program. The bill allows workers to take time off to care for a seriously ill "designated person," thereby broadening the scope of individuals for whom employees can claim paid leave. This change recognizes the importance of caregiving relationships that may not fall under traditional family definitions.

Key Provisions

  • Expansion of Eligibility: Starting July 1, 2028, employees can take paid family leave to care for a seriously ill designated person. A "designated person" is defined as any individual related by blood or whose relationship with the employee is equivalent to a family relationship.

  • Wage Replacement Benefits: The PFL program will continue to provide wage replacement benefits for up to eight weeks for eligible employees who take leave for caregiving purposes.

  • Attestation Requirement: Individuals requesting benefits for the first time to care for a designated person must identify that person and attest, under penalty of perjury, to their relationship, either by blood or through an equivalent association.

  • Conforming Changes: The bill makes necessary adjustments to existing definitions within the law, including those for "family care leave" and "family member."

  • State-Mandated Local Program: By expanding the scope of perjury related to false attestations, the bill imposes a state-mandated local program.

  • No Reimbursement Requirement: The bill specifies that no reimbursement is required for local agencies or school districts for costs mandated by the state under this act.

Impact

  • Who is Affected: The bill will benefit employees who need to take time off work to care for individuals who are not immediate family members but are still significant in their lives. This includes friends or extended family members who may require care during serious illness.

  • Financial Implications: The bill authorizes expenditures from the Unemployment Compensation Disability Fund to support the expanded eligibility, ensuring that funds are available for the increased demand for benefits.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was approved by the Governor on October 13, 2025, and has been chaptered into law. It underwent several legislative actions, including amendments and committee reviews, before reaching its final form.

Conclusion

SB 590 represents a significant step towards inclusivity in California's paid family leave policy, acknowledging the diverse nature of caregiving relationships. By expanding eligibility to designated persons, the bill aims to provide essential support to workers who take on caregiving roles beyond traditional family structures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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