This document is intended to be a resource for those interested in the California Paid Family Leave (PFL) program, how it is structured, and the lessons that can be learned from California’s experience over nearly 20 years. This report examines the structure of California’s program, how it differs from programs in other states, and how the state ended up here from a political perspective.
Paid Family Leave in California
Lessons From 20 Years of California's Paid Family Leave Program
Introduction
It has now been nearly two decades since California passed the first paid family leave program in the nation. The program, funded through worker payroll deductions, provides over 18 million working Californians with benefits that allow them to bond with a child, care for an ill family member, or provide support during a military deployment to a foreign country. Since its creation, several other states have implemented similar programs, and California has made significant changes to its program several times since the initial program was put in place.
This document is intended to be a resource for those interested in the California Paid Family Leave (PFL) program, how it is structured, and the lessons that can be learned from California’s experience over nearly 20 years. Here we examine the structure of California’s program, how it differs from programs in other states, and how the state ended up here from a political perspective.
As the largest economy in the country, and the fifth largest in the world, the California experience shows that such a program can be implemented without a negative effect on the economy. In fact, recent Economic Institute research found take up rates were growing, the program increased employment among new mothers, and the impact to business was positive.
Of course, the effectiveness of any public program depends on the details. California owes its success to the advocates, stakeholders, and policymakers that put in the immense time and effort required to design a successful program. Significant compromises were required, and the program will likely continue to evolve in the future. However, the lessons learned from California’s experience hold great value to other states and the federal government as they look to design their own programs. To share that knowledge, this report summarizes the details of the passage, structure, and outcomes of California’s current PFL program.
