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CalSTRS board votes to support AB 65, a bill establishing paid pregnancy leave for educators
Summary
The CalSTRS board voted to take a support position on AB 65, the pregnancy‑leave bill. The motion passed with one abstention and seven ayes; the board’s staff recommended support and several member organizations urged backing in public comment.
The California State Teachers' Retirement System board on Jan. 9 voted to take a support position on AB 65, a bill that would create paid pregnancy leave protections for public‑school employees.
Joycelyn (staff member) presented the item and said AB 65 is substantially similar to last year’s AB 2901 and that two new provisions in the current draft require continuation of health‑care coverage during leave and that no additional eligibility requirements be imposed. Staff recommended the board again take a support position.
Ken (reading a statement from Treasurer Fiona Ma) and board member Chang moved the support position. “Treasurer Ma is a proud cosponsor of AB 65 … she encourages the board to support AB 65,” the read statement said.
Public commenters representing membership organizations spoke in favor of the board supporting the bill. Mary Kay Scheid of the California Teachers Association said the bill would address retirement inequities experienced by female members who, on average, accrue less service credit. “This bill helps create greater equity and parity among CalSTRS members. We urge CalSTRS to support AB 65,” Scheid said. Kathy Kinley, chair of the CalRTA governmental relations committee, also urged support and said differences in lifetime retirement benefits by gender can amount to as much as $100,000.
Board member Chang moved and another member seconded the support motion. The board then took a roll‑call vote: Miss Pearl abstained; Miss Gallegos, Mr. Tang, Miss Yamamoto, Mr. Gunning, Mr. Ruffino, Mr. Juarez and Chairperson Bradford voted aye. The motion passed.
The board’s action records the position CalSTRS will state publicly on its legislative webpage and allow staff to list CalSTRS as a supporter in legislative analyses and stakeholder communications.
