The United States is the only developed nation in the world without a federal paid family and medical leave program. Many states have begun to address this, but Pennsylvania and dozens of other states still lack a paid leave program that that supports working families.
The Family Care Act
PUMP endorses the Family Care Act, legislation that calls for a paid family and medical leave insurance fund for Pennsylvania employees. In 2019, we became a coalition Partner of the statewide Family Care Act Campaign to support this policy alongside dozens of organizations. The legislation was introduced into the state legislature in the 2019-2020 session and reintroduced in 2021-2022 as House Bill 1200 and Senate Bill 580.
Under the Family Care Act, Pennsylvania employees would pay into a fund via a small payroll deduction ($0.59 for every $100 earned) and be able to receive paid family and medical leave benefits to care for themselves in the event of a serious health condition, to care for a close family member with a serious health condition, to care for a new child, or for a qualifying urgent circumstance involving a member of the military.
Federal Paid Leave
PUMP supports a comprehensive federal paid leave program. In 2021, PUMP joined national partners in lobbying for the inclusion of comprehensive paid leave in the Build Back Better Act. Build Back Better legislation proposes significant investments in “human infrastructure,” such as climate change mitigation, paid leave, expansions to Medicare, funding for child care, and more. The specifics of the legislation have changed significantly from the original proposal and remain under negotiation. Paid family and medical leave is at risk of being dropped from the final bill.
We support a federal paid leave program that:
- Covers all workers
- Defines family in an inclusive way that reflects the diversity of U.S. families
- Allows for progressive wage replacement
- Has strong administration and implementation