Mayor Lurie Signs Legislation Expanding Paid Leave For Working Parents in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today signed legislation expanding access to paid leave for working parents in San Francisco. Authored by District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter, the new law cuts in half the amount of time an employee must work for a covered employer before qualifying for benefits under San Francisco’s Paid Parental Leave Ordinance, reducing the time from 180 days to 90 days. The legislation was co-sponsored by District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill, District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen, District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, and Board President Mandelman.

The expansion of paid parental leave builds on progress made under Mayor Lurie’s Family Opportunity Agenda to make San Francisco more affordable for families. Already, San Francisco is on track to be the first major city in the U.S. where every family with kids under five has access to childcare. Through Mayor Lurie’s Family Zoning plan and a transformative investment proposed for affordable housing, the city is working to drive new housing creation so the next generation of San Franciscans can afford to raise their kids here. In March, Mayor Lurie and the Department on the Status of Women launched San Francisco’s Women’s Agenda, a coordinated, citywide strategy designed to improve outcomes for women across the city. And last fall, when a federal government shutdown threatened Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Mayor Lurie partnered with the Board of Supervisors and philanthropic partners to fill the gap within seven days, ensuring that the 112,000 San Franciscans who rely on those benefits could still put food on the table.

“When San Francisco guaranteed fully paid parental leave 10 years ago, that law's six-month waiting period put that support out of reach for too many parents when they needed it most. As we tackle the cost of childcare and housing, we also believe that no parent should have to choose between caring for a new child and paying the bills,” said Mayor Lurie. “With this legislation, the city is showing up for parents so they can show up for their families. I want to thank Supervisor Sauter for his leadership and the Board of Supervisors for their partnership in making San Francisco a city where families can put down roots and thrive.”

“No new parent should be forced to choose between their family and their career, and the evidence is clear: Paid family leave means lower rates of depression and poverty for new parents, higher household incomes, and a stronger return-to-work rate for our economy,” said Supervisor Sauter. “This legislation—passed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors—means that more San Francisco families can access these benefits when they need them most. As a new dad myself, I know raising a young child in this city is joyful but challenging, and I’ll continue to work for a San Francisco where young families can thrive.”

The new law will allow more new parents to receive supplemental compensation from their employers while taking California Paid Family Leave to bond with a new child. San Francisco’s Paid Parental Leave Ordinance applies to covered private-sector employers with 20 or more employees and helps eligible workers receive their full wages for up to eight weeks of parental leave by requiring employers to cover the difference between state benefits and an employee’s regular pay. The updated eligibility requirements will be phased in by employer size before applying to all covered employers. The new law also aligns the eligibility period for paid parental leave with San Francisco’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, which allows employees to begin using accrued paid sick leave after 90 days of employment.

“Supporting working families is also an investment in San Francisco's economy,” said Anne Taupier, Office of Economic and Workforce Development Director. “This change makes paid parental leave more accessible for working parents while helping employers compete for and retain talent. It's another step toward making San Francisco a place where people can build a career, raise a family, and stay for the long term.”

San Francisco adopted the Paid Parental Leave Ordinance in 2016, supporting families by ensuring eligible employees can receive supplemental compensation while taking California Paid Family Leave. This legislation builds on that framework by allowing more employees to qualify earlier in their employment. The ordinance will take effect 31 days after enactment. The San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement will oversee implementation of the updated requirements.

“Supervisor Sauter has brought the welcome perspective of a new parent to the Board of Supervisors,” said President Mandelman. “We talk a lot about making San Francisco a more family-friendly city; this legislation actually walks that walk, and I was proud to sign on to the effort.”

“Expanded paid parental leave is not only a smart way to retain and support our workers, but is critical to the health and development of babies and young children,” said Supervisor Melgar. “As the mother of three, I know how the bonding between parent and child is so special, and I cannot fathom how many have to forgo this precious time because of lack of support. I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation that will make San Francisco more family-friendly.”

“San Francisco has the fewest children per capita of any major city in the country due to our affordability crisis,” said Supervisor Sherrill. “This legislation makes it easier to start a family in San Francisco and ensures parents can bond with their newborns so they can thrive across generations.”

“As a mother, I know that the moments we spend with our children in their earliest days can never be replaced,” said Supervisor Chen. “No parent should have to choose between caring for their child and keeping their job. When we support families, we build stronger children, stronger neighborhoods, and a stronger San Francisco.”

“This is exactly the kind of policy San Francisco needs right now, one that meets working families where they are instead of asking them to choose between a paycheck and time with a new child,” said Supervisor Mahmood. “District 5 is home to so many young families who are stretched thin, and cutting this waiting period in half means more of them can actually use the benefits they're entitled to.”