Aguiar-Curry Secures Major Victory for California Educators in Governor’s May Budget Revise

• Gibson Martucci
• 916-319-3104
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(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) has secured a significant victory for California educators in Governor Newsom's May Budget Revise, which includes up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy disability leave for TK-12 and community college employees. This reflects the intent of Assembly Bill 65 (AB 65), authored by Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, which is currently pending in the State Senate.

"I'm deeply appreciative of Governor Newsom for including this in the budget. California educators have waited a long time for this. Now our school employees recovering from pregnancy won't have to use up their sick leave, or go back before they're ready," said Aguiar-Curry. "This helps to fix a long-overdue gap, helps keep the teachers and staff our students count on, and shows that supporting families means supporting strong schools."

A strategic workforce investment to improve educator recruitment and retention, the benefit begins in fiscal year 2026-2027. It would provide school and community college employees with paid time to recover from pregnancy and pregnancy-related medical conditions without sacrificing their accrued leave or financial security. Costs are expected to be absorbable within the 1.4-percent discretionary Local Control Funding Formula cost-of-living adjustment. The inclusion of AB 65 in the governor's budget marks a major step toward modernizing California's educator benefits and comes as state leaders continue broader negotiations over school funding and long-term investments in public education.

Co-sponsors of AB 65 issued the following statements on the Governor's inclusion of educator paid pregnancy leave in the May Revision:

"As a member of the California State Teachers' Retirement Board and the daughter of a high school teacher, I am thrilled Governor Newsom included this legislation in the state budget after years of advocacy. This is a major victory for California educators and working families, expanding paid pregnancy leave and strengthening women educators' retirement security," said California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA.

"The governor's proposed investment in 14 weeks paid pregnancy leave for educators is a long overdue advancement that would bring California into alignment with a worldwide, fundamental standard for reproductive rights," said Secretary-Treasurer Erica Jones, California Teachers Association. "With 73 percent of educators identifying as women, paid pregnancy leave is a critical benefit that will not only stabilize the profession but make it sustainable for educators. At a time when federal funding for our schools is under attack, California will lead the way by investing in our schools with measures that will recruit and retain highly skilled educators for our students."

"We are thrilled Governor Newsom has committed to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy leave for school workers in this year's state budget. For far too long teachers have been forced to choose between starting a family and serving the students they love. We are grateful to Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry for her leadership on this critical issue," said President Jeffery Freitas, California Federation of Teachers.

"FACCC applauds Governor Newsom and Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry for recognizing the importance of supporting educators and working families through expanded paid pregnancy leave. FACCC has advocated for paid pregnancy leave protections for California educators for years, and we are thrilled to see this proposal reflected in the governor's May Revision. Providing 14 weeks of paid leave helps ensure faculty are not forced to choose between their health, their families, and their profession. This proposal represents a meaningful investment in educator retention, workplace equity, and student success across California's community colleges," said President Sarah Thompson, Faculty Association of California Community Colleges.

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Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curryrepresents California's 4th Assembly District, which includes all of Lake, Colusa, Napa, and Yolo Counties, and part of Sonoma County. She serves as the Assembly Majority Leader and Chair of the California Women's Legislative Caucus.