WorkLife Law Staff Attorney Juliana Franco shared her expertise with the California Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee on steps the California Employment Development Department (EDD) could take to improve access to paid leave. Last year, California passed a bill to increase the wage replacement rate for the State Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave programs in 2025, making it more affordable for all workers to take the leave they need to bond with a new child, to care for a seriously ill family member, or for their own health. Now in the implementation stage, Juliana’s testimony addressed current barriers hindering access for low-wage and undocumented workers that the EDD should consider as the agency transitions to a new benefits system. 

We are pleased to welcome Francesca Bavaro as our new Executive Assistant & Office Manager at the Center for WorkLife Law. Francesca will manage the administrative operations of the organization and provide executive support to the Center’s Founding Director.

With many thanks to The Schmidt Family Foundation for renewed support, WorkLife Law will continue advancing reproductive justice for farmworkers through our collaborative initiative Dar a Luz: Legal Rights for Farmworkers in Pregnancy and Postpartum. Continued support will allow WorkLife Law and the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) to empower thousands of farmworking families.