New law requires employers to continue health benefits for employees on pregnancy disability leave

Lexology.com
Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP
Amy Messigian
USA
October 12 2011

Last week, Governor Brown signed two bills (AB 592 and SB 299) that further protect an employee's rights during pregnancy disability or family medical leave. Both bills, which take effect on January 1, 2012, require employers with five or more employees to continue paying their share of an employee's health care benefits for up to four months in any 12-month period while the employee is out on Pregnancy Disability Leave ("PDL"). California's PDL law makes it unlawful for employers with five or more employees to refuse to grant a leave of absence of up to four months to a female employee affected by pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions. Additionally, AB 592 expressly clarifies that employers are liable under California law for interfering or attempting to interfere with an employee's right to take family or pregnancy leave. Labor and employment attorney, Amy Messigian, discusses these new bills and how they affect your employees.

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