A bill that would expand California's Paid Family Leave law to include workers caring for ailing grandparents, grandchildren, siblings and in-laws has passed an Assembly committee.
California was the first state to pay part of the salaries of workers caring for a sick parent, spouse or child for up to six weeks.
"It basically insures that people don't have to choose between caring for a loved one and putting food on the table," explained Sharon Terman with the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center, which sponsored the bill
But Democratic Assemblyman Jim Frazier said small business owners like him could be affected.
"Every employee that I employ I have the expectation will make me money while they're there working for me," said Frazier. "So for them to be gone for six weeks impacts me."
A majority of employers surveyed in a 2011 paid family leave study reported the law had little impact on their businesses.
