AB 65 - The Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act CTA Update

We have some exciting news about AB 65, the Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act, our sponsored legislation to continue the fight for paid pregnancy leave for California educators!

Yesterday, AB 65 was debated in the Assembly Education Committee at the Capitol and passed with strong support and a vote of 6-0. Educators from around the state, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and many other labor unions and allies testified in support. Legislators heard how the lack of pregnancy leave for educators impacts us as human beings AND our profession as a whole. The bill will be heard in the Higher Education Committee next.

On Tuesday, CTA hosted a press conference with the bill’s author, Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and other elected leaders including Treasurer Ma and SPI Tony Thurmond. You can watch the entire press conference on our Facebook page here. Check out some of the coverage we received in EdSource and KCRA.

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As the fifth largest economy in the world, we should be leading the nation in resources for public education. In order to do so, we have to invest into the workforce who provide that education and care to millions of California students every day. Pregnancy leave is one piece of recruiting and retaining educators, but it’s an important one.

No educator should have to make critical choices between starting or expanding their family, and returning to work or leaving the profession altogether. After the press conference, your CTA Board of Directors spent the day meeting with legislators to ask for support and a YES vote on AB 65. Many legislators shared their strong support.

Next steps: share your story!

Every person’s journey to starting a family is different and unique. We need to highlight the various ways educators are impacted without protected pregnancy leave. The time is now! Share your Pregnancy Leave Story today to keep up the momentum for this critical legislation.

Stay tuned for more - we’re going to keep up the fight until we win!