AB 65: A Proposed Change to Paid Pregnancy Leave for California Educators

For many California employees, pregnancy disability leave and paid family leave are well-established workplace benefits. However, California teachers and other public education employees have historically been subject to different leave rules than many workers in the private sector.

Assembly Bill 65 (AB 65), also known as the Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act, aims to change that.

If enacted, the bill would expand paid pregnancy leave for California educators by requiring public school employers and community college districts to provide up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy disability leave for eligible employees. While AB 65 has not yet become law, it represents a significant proposal that could affect thousands of teachers, faculty members, and school employees across the state.

What Is AB 65?

AB 65 would require California public school employers and community college districts to provide up to 14 weeks of paid leave for employees who are unable to work due to pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from those conditions.

The leave could begin before childbirth and continue afterward if a healthcare provider determines the employee remains disabled because of pregnancy or a related medical condition. The proposal is designed to provide dedicated paid pregnancy leave without requiring eligible employees to exhaust other available leave first.

Who Would Be Covered?

If passed, AB 65 would apply to many employees working in California’s public education system, including:

• Public school teachers and other certificated employees
• Public school classified employees
• Community college academic employees
• Community college classified employees

The bill would apply to both full-time and eligible part-time employees, with compensation for part-time employees based on their assigned workload or average earnings.

How Would AB 65 Change Current Law?

Supporters argue that many California educators currently rely on accumulated sick leave during pregnancy. Once that leave is exhausted, some employees may experience reduced pay while recovering or preparing for the arrival of a child.

AB 65 would make several notable changes by:

• Providing up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy disability leave.
• Allowing employees to take the leave without reducing other available leave balances.
• Requiring employers to continue group health insurance coverage during the leave.
• Prohibiting employers from imposing minimum service or hours-worked requirements before an employee becomes eligible.

For many educators, these changes could provide greater financial security during pregnancy while preserving sick leave and other benefits for future needs.

Why Was the Bill Introduced?

Supporters of AB 65 believe California’s current leave system places educators at a disadvantage compared to many other employees.

They argue that teachers and school employees often must use years of accumulated sick leave during pregnancy, reducing benefits they may need later in their careers. Supporters also contend that stronger pregnancy leave protections could improve employee recruitment and retention as many California school districts continue facing staffing shortages. More broadly, the bill reflects growing discussions about expanding workplace protections and family leave benefits for public employees.

Where Does the Bill Stand?

AB 65 has passed the California Assembly and is currently under consideration in the California State Senate. Like any proposed legislation, it may be amended before receiving a final vote and would need to complete the legislative process before becoming law. Until that happens, California educators should continue following current leave policies while monitoring the bill’s progress.

Why This Matters for California Educators

If AB 65 becomes law, it would represent one of the most significant proposed expansions of California teacher pregnancy leave in recent years.

The bill could provide eligible educators with additional financial stability during pregnancy-related medical leave while helping preserve other valuable leave benefits for future illnesses or family responsibilities. Whether or not AB 65 ultimately passes in its current form, it highlights California’s continued focus on workplace leave rights and employee protections.

How Fraigun Law Group Helps Employees Protect Their Rights

Employment laws continue to evolve, and proposals like AB 65 demonstrate how workplace protections can change over time.

At Fraigun Law Group, we help employees understand their rights involving workplace leave, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other employment-related matters. If you have questions about your rights under California employment law or believe your employer has violated workplace protections, our team can help you better understand your legal options.