Stark Introduced Paid Family Leave Act
STARK INTRODUCES PAID FAMILY LEAVE ACT
Today, U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA, 13th) with Reps. George Miller (D-CA, 7th) and Major Owens (D-NY, 11th) introduced a bill to provide up to 12 weeks of wages to workers who take time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The bill, called "The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act of 2005," builds on a highly successful California program that also provides wages to workers who take time off under the FMLA. The California program is completing its first year in effect this week.
"Empty rhetoric has been worn out recently discussing "family values," this bill is an opportunity for Congress to finally put its money where its mouth is and strengthen both families and businesses," Stark said. "FMLA was a breakthrough piece of legislation, which California built upon to create a paid leave program. This bill takes those successes one major step further to create a national paid leave system. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress in moving it forward."
The new benefit allows time off to be taken for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for a sick relative or because the employee has a serious medical condition. Workers will receive their benefit through a new "Family and Medical Leave Trust Fund" financed through a .4% payroll contribution from employers.
This benefit will only cost the average employer about $11 per worker per month. In return, an employee will be able to receive up to 55% of their weekly salary for up to 12 weeks. Stark's bill also maintains the FMLA job protection for employees of companies of 50 and more employees, but does not extend this benefit to employees of smaller companies.
Debra L. Ness, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families said, "Every day, we hear from working Americans who need to take leave but can't afford to. Although the FMLA was a tremendous step forward, many workers who need FMLA leave do not take it because they can't afford to miss a paycheck. Paid family and medical leave is the next logical step. We can't afford not to implement measures like these."
Stark's Paid Family and Medical Leave Act has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO, United Auto Workers, the National Partnership for Women and Families, and dozens of additional, like-minded groups.
http://www.house.gov/stark/news/109th/pressreleases/06-30_pfmla.htm