Calif. bill could give teachers 14 weeks taxpayer-funded paid leave for abortions
June 30, 2026
A proposed California bill that would provide up to 14 weeks of fully paid pregnancy disability leave for public school employees includes language that could also require taxpayers to fund paid leave for abortions.
The Christian Post reports that Assembly Bill 65, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, is currently awaiting consideration in the California Senate after passing the Assembly.
The proposed law would require public school employers and community college districts to provide up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy disability leave to certificated employees and classified staff employed by public schools or the community college district.
According to a summary of the bill, that leave applies not only to time missed due to the pregnancy, but also to “childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or a related condition.”
The inclusion of “termination of pregnancy” has raised questions because the bill doesn’t distinguish between miscarriages and elective abortions.
In an interview with with CBS California Investigates, Aguiar-Curry acknowledged that the abortion-related language could be amended before the bill reaches the governor’s desk.
Aguiar-Curry said, “I think it could get amended. I’m hoping it doesn’t, and now that you’ve brought it up and it’s all over television, chances are I’m going to get more pressure to take it out.”
According to the Christian Post, the bill also would prohibit school districts from deducting pregnancy disability leave from an employee’s other available leave and would require employers to maintain health insurance coverage during the leave period under the same conditions as if the employee were actively working.
The bill passed the Assembly with 62 bipartisan votes, although 17 lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle did not vote.
It remains unclear whether lawmakers will revise the bill before it reaches Gov. Gavin Newsom.
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