The United States, despite being a developed and affluent nation, lacks federal paid parental leave. In 2022, the Biden-Harris administration attempted to tackle this issue but faced a reduction in the proposed paid parental leave duration from twelve weeks to four weeks, which is still under consideration by Congress.
As such, the efforts of states play a crucial role in progressing toward the goal of federally mandated paid parental leave. Before 2023, ten states had passed the paid parental leave into law. These states include New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey, California, Washington D.C, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The provisions of these states oscillate between six to sixteen weeks. Also, some of the states such as Maryland, Rhode Island, and New York have expanded or proposed expansions of the policy.
States and Paid Parental Leave Actions in 2023
In 2023, several states demonstrated their dedication to paid parental leave. Among them were Arizona, Iowa, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maine, Vermont, and North Carolina. These states instituted paid parental leave for their state employees, allowing them to care for family members dealing with illness, adopted foster children, or newborns. The implementation of this policy in Minnesota and Maine is scheduled for 2026, while in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Iowa, the policy is currently under consideration. Additionally, the paid parental leave policies adopted by these states are rooted in the framework of Family and Medical Leave.
- In North Carolina, eight weeks of paid parental leave is available to all state employees effective from July 1, 2023.
- On January 2023, the Minnesota State Legislature passed into law paid parental leave which would be effective January 1, 2026. Workers can receive up to twelve weeks.
- Arizona state governor introduced a pilot paid parental leave program effective from September 2, 2023. State employees now have access to up to twelve weeks of leave.
- On April 10, 2023, the Tennessee state government approved six weeks of paid parental leave. This will be available to all state employees except from the legislative 313 staff members.
- In Oklahoma, the state legislative house passed six weeks of paid maternity leave to full-time state employees. This policy is yet to be effective as it is under consideration by the Oklahoma State Senate.
- In Iowa, up to four weeks of paid parental leave for state employees is still under consideration by lawmakers. Bill 1139 was proposed in February 2023 and it is yet to be approved.
- On July 11, 2023, the State Governor of Maine signed the budget for twelve weeks of paid family and Medical leave for both public and private sector employees. This policy would be effective January 2026.
- The State of Vermont passed into law paid family leave on March 24, 2023. The twelve weeks leave is only available to State Employees.
- In Pennsylvania, a twelve-week paid family leave was voted on March 16, 2023. However, this bill is yet to progress.
- Effective September 3, 2023, Oregon provides twelve weeks of paid parental leave under the Oregon Family Leave Act.
Overall, the commitment shown by states is a positive move. It instills hope for a more inclusive provision that extends paid parental leave to individuals employed in private organizations. This would encompass those working in organizations with fewer than fifty employees. It also portends an opportunity for employee retention and well-being, most especially for female employees. Looking forward to 2024, there is hope that more states will commit and the federal policy will get approved and enacted.
Read More:
Prenatal to 3 Policy, Paid Family Leave, https://pn3policy.org/pn-3-state-policy-roadmap-2023/us/paid-family-leave/#:~:text=Benefits%2C%20Eligibility%2C%20Funding%20and%20Administration,As%20of%20October%201%2C%202023.
Recent Comments