California’s new law grants 5 days of bereavement leave for reproductive loss

Published 4 Min Read

A woman doctor is using an ultrasound machine and wearing a mask while examining a pregnant woman in a clinic.
Seventyfour from AdobeStock

Employers may need to reconsider their definition of loss when it comes to bereavement leave — or states might do it for them. 

California’s new law requires employers to grant their workers up to five days of leave after they experience reproductive loss through a miscarriage or stillbirth, as well as a failed adoption, IVF or surrogacy process. While the law doesn’t require the leave to be paid, employers are prohibited from retaliating against workers who use this new leave policy. Going into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, California will be the only state other than Utah to implement a similar policy.

Deanna Cuadra
Senior Reporter

Deanna Cuadra is a senior reporter at Employee Benefit News. Her work covers healthcare, U.S. policy and reform, challenges faced by women and parents in the workplace and innovation in work culture … Read full bio


For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.


More From Employee Benefit News

Sign Up Form

Login Modal Form