Newsom Signs Law to Give California Workers More Sick Days Each Year

SB 616 guarantees workers at least five paid sick days per year and increases the cap employers can place on such from 6 to 10 days and 48 to 80 hours.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (L) signs SB 616 authored by Sen. Lena Gonzalez (R), D-Long Beach, to give workers five sick days a year instead of three, on Oct. 4, 2023. Courtesy of Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

California workers will get five sick days a year instead of three beginning in January under a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom Oct. 4.

Senate Bill 616, authored by Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), guarantees workers at least five paid sick days per year and increases the cap employers can place on such from 6 to 10 days and 48 to 80 hours.