Policy Resource
States Move Forward on Paid Family and Medical Leave
Three more states have taken steps toward ensuring that families have adequate, unhurried time to create positive, consistent relationships with their babies. Time with infants during their earliest days, weeks, and months results in children who are better equipped for success in school and in life.

On June 25, 2019, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed the state’s new paid family and medical leave bill into law. The program will be financed by a payroll tax on workers of one-half of one percent and will provide up to 12 weeks of replacement wages. The benefit will be payable on a sliding scale up to a maximum of 95 percent for minimum-wage earners and capped at $900 a week. The new tax takes effect in January 2021.
On July 1, 2019, Governor Kate Brown of Oregon signed the first paid family and medical leave plan to offer low-income workers 100 percent wage replacement. Under the plan, wage replacement decreases as average weekly income increases. Both employees and employers will contribute, and all workers who make more than $1,000 a year will be eligible for the 12 weeks of paid leave for family or medical reasons.
Finally, Governor Gavin Newson of California signed a bill last month that will extend paid family and medical leave in the state from six to eight weeks, beginning July 1, 2020. California was the first state to create a paid leave program.
Connecticut and Oregon join California, as well as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Washington State and Washington, D.C. in launching this crucial benefit for families. ZERO TO THREE congratulates the advocates from each state who made these actions happen.
Read more about:
You might also be interested in
-
Article
New Jersey to offer home visiting to every family with a newborn
In June 2021 New Jersey passed S690 which will provide all New Jersey residents access to at least one, and up to three, post-partum home visits by a specially trained registered nurse for the parent…
-
Article
Alabama Increases Funding for Home Visiting in 2021
In April 2021, Alabama passed The Education Trust Fund budget SB 189, which included many increases in funding for programs serving children and families.
-
Article
Bill Adds State Funds for Community-based Home Visiting Models in Minnesota
In 2021 Minnesota passed HF 2128, an omnibus health and human services finance bill that included $4.5 million in state funds to significantly expand voluntary home visiting for pregnant people and f…
-
Article
Delaware Prioritizes Home Visiting
In 2019 Delaware passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 50 (SCR 50) requiring the Department of Health and Social Services – in collaboration with the Department of Education and Delaware Home Visiting …
-
Article
Rhode Island Cross-Sector Compensation Report Drives Legislative Action
Thanks to the work of the RIght from the Start campaign, composed of Rhode Island early childhood groups, leaders, and stakeholders convened as a part of the state’s Think Babies efforts funded by ZE…
-
Video
Building Strong Foundations for Families Project: Impacts and Lessons Learned
Building Strong Foundations for Families (BSFF), a state technical assistance project conducted from 2020 - 2022, was designed to assist selected states in building and strengthening comprehensive po…
Explore More California Focused Resources & Initiatives
-
Journal
Addressing Bias and Advancing Equity in State Policy
Katrina Coburn, Kim Keating, and Jennifer Jennings-Shaffer, ZERO TO THREE, Washington, DC
-
Article
California Bill Mandates Implicit Bias Training for Perinatal Healthcare Professionals
A new California bill requires implicit bias training for all healthcare professionals working in perinatal services.