Paid 12 Weeks Leave Looking to be a Reality in New York State

USPA NEWS - Much needed time for working families are just around the corner, New York State Assembly looking to pass bill A03870A
the Paid Family Leave Act. This bill looks to cover 12 weeks of leave from your job, which brings a big relief to families with a newborn baby.

The New York State Assembly announced the Assembly's intent to pass legislation that will give workers up to 12 weeks of paid leave every year to care for family members. Working individuals can be able to use the New York State's Temporary Disability Insurance to receive up to 12 weeks of paid time off to care for family members. This benefit would cover two-thirds of the workers average weekly wage. "No hardworking individual in New York State should have to face financial ruin in order to take care of his or her family," said Heastie. "The New York State Assembly recognizes that there is nothing more important than the health of our families and loved ones so we have taken steps to keep families first in New York."

Assembly Bill A03870A which would provide compensation for workers for family leave that would cover sickness, pregnancy and injury. This bill was sponsored by Assemblymember Cathy Nolan which carries many cosponsors. This bill will help many employees who could not afford to take a long leave to care for a loved one or for a new born child. , The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act Presently only allows some workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off to care for a newborn child or a sick family member and to make matters worst forty percent of employees and eighty percent of new mothers can not even get approved for FMLA.

Hector Figueroa, president of 32BJ said, "Paid Family Leave is vital for working New Yorkers. We need to ensure that no one has to sacrifice the financial support of their family in order to take care of a new baby or an ill relative. That's why 32BJ and its 80,000 members in New York State are calling for 12 weeks of paid family leave at a minimum of two-thirds of a worker's wage." "Families are the foundation of our society," said Assemblymember Nolan, chair of the Education Committee and sponsor of the bill. "We need to do everything we can to help these hardworking individuals balance family and work without compromising their economic security. This legislation would help maintain the integrity of every working family in New York."

California has already a paid family leave program which has shown that this kind of program works and shown great results for the employees and also creating savings for employers. This positive results could be one drive to passing New York States Family Leave Act. Donna Dolan, executive director of the New York Paid Leave Coalition said, "New Yorkers desperately need a strong Paid Family Leave bill passed in 2016, so families are no longer forced to choose between the health and well-being of their loved ones and financial security. A strong bill must ensure 12 weeks of job-protected leave for all private sector workers, at two-thirds of their weekly wage and increase the rate of Temporary Disability Insurance.

The program must work for families, including low-income families. We applaud Assembly Speaker Heastie, Assemblymember Nolan, Assemblymember Titus and the Assembly for their unwavering commitment and support over the years, and we are committed to working to make paid family leave a reality for all New Yorkers this year." The funding would be financed through employee payroll deductions.