AB 1748, a California law affecting California Family Rights Act’s application to airline flight employees has been signed by the governor.

This new law amends California Government Code section 12945.2 to conform to the FMLA service requirement for airline flight employees. Under this law, flight deck and cabin crew members of air carriers are eligible for protected leave under the California Family Rights Act so long as they:

1. They have worked or been paid for not less than 60 percent of the applicable total monthly guarantee or equivalent annualized over the proceeding 12 month period; and

2. have worked or been paid for not less than 504 hours during the 12 months prior to their leave.

The new law further authorizes California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing to adopt regulations to calculate leave available to flight crew employees under these provisions.