Yes, it is true that the California return does not use the amount in box 16 of your W-2. You can see this by looking at Line 12 on the 540 - Line 12 is not used anywhere else on the CA return. Instead, the 540 takes numbers from the federal return and works with that.
In your case, did you mean "FMLA" (Family and Medical Leave Act) or "PFL" (Paid Family Leave)? The 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees to take an unpaid, job-protected leave of up to 12 work weeks in a 12-month period for family and medical-related reasons. For this reason, I don't think it will appear in box 1 of your W-2.
If you meant PFL, then don't worry about box 16 on your W-2, but instead look for he screen in the California interview that asks you about what amount of your PFL is taxable. NOTE: read the instructions carefully, because it is easy to misread the screen.
But do come back and let us know.
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