In the News

February 10, 2022

"California is doing the right thing," said state Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). "California is acting and we're getting it done. None of us need to have any worker show up to work and be sick because we are trying to end this pandemic. So [this legislation] allows our good workers to be able to stay home when they need to, to be able to make an appointment to get that vaccination or that booster and to be able to get their kids vaccinated or to be able to stay home with their kids if their kids get sick."

 

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February 8, 2022

California lawmakers passed legislation on Monday to provide most workers with up to two weeks of COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave, a move policymakers hope will slow the spread of the coronavirus across the state.

“We all are quite aware of the surge of COVID-19 cases, and this act will help ensure that those employees that are sick can take the paid sick leave that they need so all of us are protected,” said Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley).

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February 8, 2022

The bill will require employers with more than 25 workers to provide up to 80 hours of paid sick time for employees who test positive for the virus, need to quarantine after exposure, or who need to care for a sick family member or child whose school is closed due to an outbreak. Workers can also take up to 24 working hours after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot.

Part-time workers are also eligible for some sick leave. After the first 40 hours of sick leave, employers can request proof of a positive test before approving additional time.

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February 4, 2022

“Getting to and from school should never be a barrier to student success. The research is clear: Students with school-provided transportation miss far fewer days and are more likely to graduate,” said state Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), who is proposing that the state require school buses for all.

Skinner’s new bill would provide state funding for daily transportation for all of California’s 6 million K-12 students starting next year, alleviating the financial burden for districts.

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February 4, 2022

State Senator Nancy Skinner has a solution: a state-funded school bus program that would provide free transportation for all  students. “We know students with transport miss fewer days of school and are more likely to graduate,” Skinner said.

 

For the full report, click here.

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February 4, 2022

Senate Bill 854 would create a savings account for kids who’ve lost a parent or permanent caregiver to COVID-19. Youth in long-term foster care also would be eligible.

Kids under 9 would receive $4,000 in an account. Kids 10 to 17 years old would receive $8,000 that they could access when they turn 18.

State Sen. Nancy Skinner, who introduced the bill, said 67% of kids who’ve lost a parent or primary caregiver to COVID were kids of color and kids of low-wage workers.

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