Policy Resource
District of Columbia Passes Progressive Paid Family and Medical Leave Law
The District of Columbia Council gave final approval for a Paid Family and Medical Leave law enacted in 2017 and effective July 2020.
The bill, which passed with a veto-proof majority of nine to four, provides private-sector employees with eight weeks of leave to bond with a new child, six weeks of leave to care for an ill or injured family member, and two weeks of leave to recover from a medical condition. The city will reimburse workers with 90 percent of the first $900 they earn in a week, and pay 50 percent of their remaining weekly pay, with a cap of $1,000 per week. The program will be paid for with a new 0.62 percent payroll tax on employers that is estimated to generate $250 million annually. The new law will not apply to federal government or D.C. government employees. D.C. joins California, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, and several other municipalities in providing such a benefit.
Updated February 2019
Read more about:
You might also be interested in
-
Article
Louisiana Makes Strides for Babies and Families
The 2021 Louisiana Legislative Session adjourned in June with several exciting wins for babies and families across early childhood sectors.
-
Article
Connecticut Uses Strategic Investments to Boost Family Child Care
The state’s recipe for ensuring that family child care providers are receiving individualized supports at every stage of their careers is helping to stabilize the field and meet the needs of children…
-
Article
DC Council Passes the Child Wealth Building Act and More!
Earlier this month the DC Council unanimously passed the Fiscal Year 2021 city budget, securing significant wins for babies and their families. Of note were two economic initiatives for families with…
-
Article
Connecticut Baby Bonds Aim to Tackle Poverty and Advance Racial Equity
Connecticut recently became the first state in the nation to create trusts, “Baby Bonds”, for children born in the state who live in families with low income.
-
Article
Missouri to Launch New Office of Childhood
This January, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, along with the Missouri Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education, Health and Senior Services, and Social Services, announced a new state Office o…
-
Article
Rhode Island Celebrates Big Wins for Babies
The 2021 Rhode Island legislative session wrapped up with several impressive wins for babies and their families.
Explore More District of Columbia Focused Resources & Initiatives
-
Article
DC Council Passes the Child Wealth Building Act and More!
Earlier this month the DC Council unanimously passed the Fiscal Year 2021 city budget, securing significant wins for babies and their families. Of note were two economic initiatives for families with…
-
Article
2019 State Budget Wins for Babies
Thanks to dedicated advocates and policymakers, babies and their families around the country will benefit from state budget boosts in the upcoming year.
