Newsletter

POLICY UPDATES + WINS

This has been an unusual year for the timing of the legislative season — however, there is still much to celebrate and be hopeful for, including the expansion of the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC), and job protections for employees taking care of a new child. Below were bills that First 5 Monterey was following that were signed by the Governor.

• SB 793 (Hill): Bans the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol, and was signed into law by Governor Newsom on August 28th. Tobacco companies have filed a referendum and have begun collecting signatures to overturn the flavors ban. The referendum must collect over 600,000 signatures by November 30th to qualify for the 2022 ballot. If the measure qualifies, SB 793 will NOT be implemented on January 1, 2021 as intended by the law and will be delayed until voters decide the outcome of the referendum.
• SB 1383 (Jackson): Extends job protection under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) for employees who take leave to care for themselves, a new child, or an ill loved one. The bill applies these protections to businesses that have five or more employees.
• AB 1876 (Lopez): Further expands access to the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) to ensure all California tax filers, specifically undocumented ITIN filers who are otherwise eligible, may qualify for the CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC).