News Notes: Feds Allow Use Of Unemployment Funds For Leave, But Status In California Unclear

The Department of Labor has put into place controversial regulations that would let states use unemployment insurance money to fund family and medical leave. The new rules broaden the scope of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, so that workers could receive up to 12 weeks of paid leave if they take time off under the FMLA. However, this use of unemployment insurance funds would have to be OK’d by state lawmakers, and in California no such proposals are on the table yet. In a related development, the state Employment Development Department is preparing a report to the legislature about whether it’s feasible to allow employees who take family and medical leave to receive state disability benefits.