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Assembly committee advances SB 1149 to expand bereavement leave to include 'designated persons'
Summary
SB 1149, authored by Sen. Durazo, would allow workers to use job-protected bereavement leave following the death of a 'designated person' (chosen or extended family). Supporters, including one witness who shared a personal account, urged the change to reflect modern family structures. The committee passed the bill and referred it to appropriations.
Sen. Durazo told the committee SB 1149 would modernize California’s bereavement leave law by allowing employees to use job-protected bereavement leave after the death of a "designated person," a term meant to include chosen or extended family.
Q Wilson, who testified in support, described a recent personal loss and said existing leave rules left them worried about job security while grieving. "No one should have to carry those concerns while saying goodbye," Wilson said, asking the committee for support.
Nina Weiler Harwell of AARP (registered as "ARP" in the transcript) said SB 1149 would update bereavement rules to reflect how families live today and help older Californians who rely on chosen-family networks. AARP and a wide coalition of caregiving and advocacy groups registered support.
No witnesses spoke in opposition. Committee members praised the personal testimony and the bill’s focus on modernizing caregiving law. After discussion, the committee moved SB 1149 and referred it to the Committee on Appropriations.
