CALIFORNIA — Assembly Bill 65, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, passed the California Assembly with 62 votes and has been sent to the California Senate for consideration. The bill proposes that public school teachers receive up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy disability leave.

The text of Assembly Bill 65 provides paid leave for "termination of pregnancy." Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed budget contains a provision for California teachers to receive up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy disability leave. California public school teachers generally do not participate in the state's State Disability Insurance program due to collective bargaining agreements.

The bill does not currently include a specific annual cap on the number of pregnancy-related leave claims an employee could receive. Assemblymember David Tangipa declined to vote on Assembly Bill 65. He was one of 17 lawmakers who declined to vote on the bill.

Tangipa expressed concern about the absence of a cap in the bill. "I'm very concerned with that portion of the bill, mainly because there is no cap," he said. "I think it's overly intrusive."

Aguiar-Curry acknowledged the possibility of amendments in the Senate. "I think it could get amended. I'm hoping it doesn't, and now that you've brought it up and it's all over television, chances are I'm going to get more pressure to take it out," Aguiar-Curry said. Law professor Chris Micheli stated, "Ninety-nine percent of all bills get amended in their second house."

Aguiar-Curry indicated that even with amendments, the primary goal remains unchanged. "If it is, so be it. I can live with it as long as I get the 14 weeks of paid leave for my teachers," she said.