America’s babies need time when their parents can bond and care for them, without jeopardizing their families’ ability to pay for basic necessities. They need paid family and medical leave.
The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, sponsored by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), would create a comprehensive national program that makes paid leave affordable for employers of all sizes and available to all workers and their families.
The FAMILY Act checks all the boxes on the #PaidLeaveChecklist by:
- Providing workers with up to 12 weeks of partial income while they take time for their own serious health conditions, including pregnancy and childbirth recovery; to bond with and care for a newborn or newly adopted child; care for a loved one with a serious health condition; recover or seek assistance related to domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault; and/or for particular military caregiving and leave purposes.
- Enabling workers to earn between 66 and 85 percent of their monthly wages, up to a capped amount – ensuring that low- and middle-wage workers have a higher share of their wages replaced.
- Covering workers in all companies, no matter their size. Younger, part-time, lower-wage, contingent, public employees and self-employed workers would all be eligible for benefits.
- Responsible funding through small employee and employer payroll contributions of two-tenths of 1 percent each (two cents per $10 in wages), or less than $1.50 per week for a typical worker.
- Making it illegal to fire or discriminate against an individual who has applied, intends to apply for, or who uses family and medical leave insurance benefits.
