The California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) has updated its Healthy Workplaces/Healthy Families Act Paid Sick Leave Notice. The update reflects changes in the law that took place in 2024 (AB 2499) and 2025 (AB 406).
AB 406 restores and recasts specific Labor Code sections that were deleted by last year’s AB 2499. These changes expanded employee protections for victims of “qualifying acts of violence” and their family members, aligning these rights with the Fair Employment and Housing Act. AB 406 clarifies jurisdiction between the DLSE and the CRD and aligns the restored Labor Code sections with FEHA provisions allowing crime victims to use paid sick leave for crime-related purposes.
By expanding the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act, these legislative changes make clear that:
- Employees may now use paid sick leave for jury duty and court appearances as witnesses under a subpoena.
- Both paid and unpaid leave rights are broadened to support victims of serious crimes and their family members, including designated persons, allowing them to attend related judicial proceedings.
Employers are required to provide written notice of these rights to employees and maintain confidentiality, while also offering reasonable accommodations for victim-employees and allowing accrued paid leave to be used for activities related to crime or abuse.
The updated notice, dated January 2026, should be immediately downloaded and posted.