California Paid Sick Leave + Paid Family Leave
AB 1522 / SB 3
Regulatory Snapshot: California Paid Sick Leave + Paid Family Leave
California Paid Sick Leave + Paid Family Leave (AB 1522 / SB 3) is an enacted law in California under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2023-10-04 and becomes effective on 2024-01-01. California currently reports 12 tracked regulations with 12 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 100/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places California within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in AB 1522 / SB 3 itself.
Applicability under California Paid Sick Leave + Paid Family Leave: All CA employees after 30 days. Penalty exposure is documented as: DLSE enforcement. Back pay + $250/day administrative penalties. Notable exemptions: Certain union employees (if CBA provides equivalent). Outside salespeople..
Summary
California employees accrue 5 paid sick days/year. State-run Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides 8 weeks at 70-90% wages for family/medical leave.
Key Requirements
Paid sick: 5 days/year (Jan 2024). PFL: 8 weeks for bonding, caregiving. SDI: covers own illness. All employers regardless of size.
Penalties
DLSE enforcement. Back pay + $250/day administrative penalties.
Applicability
All CA employees after 30 days.
Exemptions
Certain union employees (if CBA provides equivalent). Outside salespeople.
Official Source
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/paid_sick_leave.htmFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. California is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was California Paid Sick Leave + Paid Family Leave enacted?
California Paid Sick Leave + Paid Family Leave was enacted on 2023-10-04 and became effective on 2024-01-01. It was introduced as AB 1522 / SB 3.
What are the penalties for violating California Paid Sick Leave + Paid Family Leave?
DLSE enforcement. Back pay + $250/day administrative penalties. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does California Paid Sick Leave + Paid Family Leave apply to small businesses?
All CA employees after 30 days. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does California compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
California has a regulatory strictness score of 100/100, based on 12 enacted regulations out of 12 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of California Paid Sick Leave + Paid Family Leave?
The official text of California Paid Sick Leave + Paid Family Leave (AB 1522 / SB 3) is available from the California legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |