Women's Caucus Has Full California Legislative Agenda This Year

An $800 million child care funding increase and paid family leave top the list of priorities for the California Legislative Women’s caucus this year – many of which, caucus members argue, would help men as well as women.

“When you need to care for your family, when you need to – and should – bond with your newborns, you should have the ability to do it without having to choose between your job and food on the table and your family,” says Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), who chairs the caucus.

Jackson says she’ll propose legislation that allows new birth mothers and fathers and new adoptive parents to take up to three months off from work without losing their jobs.

Other women’s caucus proposals this year include barring employers from asking job candidates for their salary histories; requiring companies to schedule their workers in advance; and repealing a welfare rule known as the “maximum family grant.”