Government Code section 19859.3

(a)

Any permanent employee who is either excluded from the definition of state employee in subdivision (c) of Section 3513, or is a nonelected officer or employee of the executive branch of government who is not a member of the civil service, shall be granted bereavement leave with pay for the death of a person related by blood, adoption, or marriage, or any person residing in the immediate household of the employee at the time of death. The employee shall give advance notice to the employee’s immediate supervisor and shall provide substantiation to support the request.

(b)

For any one occurrence, the bereavement leave shall not exceed three days with pay. However, a request for two additional days of bereavement leave shall be granted, at the option of the employee, as either without pay or as a charge against any accrued sick leave credit.

(c)

If additional bereavement leave is necessary, the employee may use accrued vacation, compensating time off, or take an authorized leave without pay, subject to the approval of the appointing power.

Source: Section 19859.3, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=19859.­3.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2023; accessed Sep. 7, 2026).

Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Sep. 7, 2026

§ 19859.3's source at ca​.gov