BILL NUMBER:  SB 118
  VETOED	DATE: 05/23/2000




May 23, 2000



To the Members of the Senate:

I am returning SB 118 without my signature.

Last year, I was pleased to sign AB 109 (Knox), which permits an
employee to use sick leave to attend to an illness of a child,
parent, or spouse of the employee.

The Family Medical Leave Act is designed to allow employees to take
time off and to care for close relatives and be able to return to
their place of employment without jeopardy.  This measure, while
well-intentioned, extends that right far beyond what any other state
has permitted to a relationship outside the family - specifically, to
individuals who live together to share expenses if one of those
individuals subsequently becomes seriously ill.

There are, however, portions of this bill that I could sign into law.
  I would be pleased to work with the Legislature during the next
Legislative session to fashion an appropriate bill.

Sincerely,





GRAY DAVIS