Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is once again introducing federal legislation that would create paid family and medical leave. The Family Act would establish a national, gender-neutral insurance program that would mean a paycheck for families with new babies, or ill family members.
Gllibrand says it’s becoming more imperative to have this kind of program with so many women working.
“Our workplace policies are literally stuck in the ‘Mad Men’ era when moms stayed at home and dads went to work. That’s just not true anymore. In eight out of ten families, moms are going to work. So whether you are talking about an aging or dying parent, whether you’re talking about a sick child or sick family member or a new baby, workers need flexibility to take care of their families.”
The program would be funded like Social Security, with employees and employers putting .2 percent of an employee’s income into an account every month.
Gillibrand says she has 10 co-sponsors on the bill.
A paid family leave bill is pending in the New York State Legislature as well, but the two chambers and the governor are far apart on the details.
