In Clear Terms with AARP California™

California Paid Family Leave

Episode Summary

Senator Durazo and Katie Duberg explain how California’s paid family leave is changing—and what it means for caregivers and chosen family.

Episode Notes

Paid family leave is often the difference between stability and stress for working families. In this episode of In Clear Terms with AARP California, host Dr. Thyonne Gordon talks with California State Senator María Elena Durazo and Katie Duberg, Political Organizing Director at the California Work & Family Coalition, about how California’s paid family leave policies are evolving and why those updates matter for older adults and caregivers.

Senator Durazo shares her personal journey from migrant farmworker roots to her work leading major labor and policy reforms. She breaks down the new wage replacement structure and what SB 590 could mean for families who rely on chosen caregivers. Katie Duberg adds insight from the ground, explaining how the Coalition supports families and pushes for change that reflects California’s diverse caregiving needs.

You’ll hear why the definition of family is at the heart of paid leave policy, how advocates are helping Californians navigate their options, and what’s next in the fight to expand care access.

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Presented by AARP California

www.AARP.org/CA