By Jeanne Mejeur

California became the second state to require private employers to provide paid sick leave, with the passage of A.B. 1522. Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill into law on Wednesday.

Under the new law, employees can accrue and use up to three days of paid sick time each year. The law takes effect July 1, 2015.

Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) sponsored the bill, which will provide paid sick days to approximately 6.5 million Californians, roughly 40 percent of the state's workforce.

Connecticut became the first state to require that private sector employers provide paid sick leave, with the passage of Public Act 11-52 in 2011. The laws in both states have limits in coverage and use of paid sick leave benefits.

Many private sector employers  provide paid sick leave through collective bargaining agreements or personnel policies but with the exception of California and Connecticut, they are not required to do so under state or federal law. Almost all public sector employers provide paid sick leave.

Jeanne Mejeur is a program principal in NCSL’s Legislative Management program and covers labor and employment issues.

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