California was the first state in the nation to offer paid family leave. Today, it remains one of only a handful of states in the country to offer such a program. Since its implementation in 2004, Californians who have the SDI deduction taken from their paychecks - including all employees and self-employed individuals who choose to contribute - are eligible to receive partial wage replacement benefits through the state’s Employment Development Department for up to six weeks, in order to bond with a new baby or care for a seriously ill family member, among other reasons. Wa