State lawmakers try again for paid family medical leave program

Advocates and lawmakers renewed their call Monday for a state insurance program that would create a worker-funded trust fund to cover paid family and medical leave for workers.

“The benefits of paid leave are well established,” said Sen. Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) during a virtual press conference to outline the proposed bill. “Providing new parents with paid time off to care for newborn or recently adopted children contributes to healthy development, improves maternal health and enhances family economic security.”

The measure would also allow people to take paid time off for their own medical needs or to care for other relatives who need it, including some not covered by the current unpaid state or federal family medical leave laws. According to advocates, many people who would qualify for leave under those existing laws don’t take it because they cannot afford to lose income during the leave period.

Five people took part in the press event to describe how a paid leave program might have helped them, as parents after birth or as family members with loved ones needing medical care.

Read more: https://wisconsinexaminer.com/brief/state-lawmakers-try-again-for-paid-family-medical-leave-program/