For Immediate Release:
November 28, 2016
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105
mnocella@dccouncil.us
Revised paid leave bill would be nation’s most expansive
Washington, D.C. – Today, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson released details of a revised version of the Universal Paid Leave Act of 2015, which Councilmember David Grosso introduced along with Councilmember Silverman in October of 2015.
“I introduced the Universal Paid Leave Act over a year ago to support D.C. workers and families, while giving our local businesses a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining highly qualified employees," Grosso said. "Today’s revised version holds true to those principles. I look forward to voting in support of the bill when it comes before the full Council next Tuesday.”
Under the revised legislation, employees who have a child through birth, adoption, foster care or other legal placement will be eligible for 11 weeks of paid leave. It would also provide 8 weeks of paid leave to D.C. workers to care for a family member experiencing a personal serious health condition.
“Even revised, this legislation offers the most expansive paid leave benefit in the country,” Grosso said. “It puts workers in a better position to care for their families while providing a benefit that is not available anywhere else. That is something we should be very proud to vote for.”
The bill’s definition of family and major events are inclusive of the diversity of D.C.’s workers and families, including low-income workers, single-parent households, caregiving for non-child family members, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, and more.
The program will be funded through an employer-paid payroll tax of just 0.62%.
“I want to thank Chairman Mendelson for his commitment to bringing this bill up for consideration before the end of the year and everything he and his staff have done to make that possible,” Grosso said. “I also greatly appreciate the efforts of Councilmember Silverman, the D.C. Paid Leave Coalition, the National Partnership for Women and Families, Family Values @ Work, and the many other advocates working on this measure.
“It is time for the Council to finally act on this legislation and I urge my colleagues to support it next Tuesday.”
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