Boozman, Gillibrand Introduce Bipartisan More Paid Leave for More Americans Act

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act, legislation to expand access to paid leave through an innovative state-driven, public-private partnership model while creating a national framework that empowers employers to administer this benefit efficiently across state lines.

The bill would authorize a three-year pilot program through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to help states, in partnership with private employers, offer paid family, caregiving or medical leave. It would also establish the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (I-PLAN) -- a working group of participating states to foster collaboration, reduce compliance burdens and create a standardized system for processing interstate claims.

"As a former business owner, father of three daughters and Member of Congress, I have learned just how much there is to gain from expanding paid leave resources for working families. Our bipartisan, bicameral approach offers a flexible way for more states and employers to help fewer Americans face the dilemma between career progression and financial security or meeting theirs or a loved one's needs. I am optimistic this model will spur wider adoption across the country and appreciated collaborating with my colleagues alongside passionate advocates to achieve meaningful progress that will support families and our economy," said Boozman.

"No American should have to choose between earning a paycheck and caring for a new baby, a sick parent, or their own health," said Gillibrand. "The More Paid Leave for More Americans Act is a commonsense, bipartisan step toward solving a challenge facing millions of hardworking families. By empowering states to create robust paid parental, caregiving, and medical leave programs, this bill would help protect Americans' financial security and allow them the flexibility to deal with life's emergencies without sacrificing their income. I will fight to pass this bill through Congress and will continue working until every American has guaranteed access to paid family and medical leave."

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA).

"After years of hard work and dedication, I am thrilled that my colleagues in the Senate have introduced companion legislation to my bipartisan bill, the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan House Paid Family Leave Working Group alongside Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, I have been proud to work across the aisle to advance practical solutions that support both families and businesses. As a mother myself, I understand the challenges parents face and the importance of ensuring they do not have to choose between caring for a newborn and earning a paycheck. We must continue this momentum and advance policies that address the real needs of America's families," Bice said.

"Four years ago, when I founded the House Bipartisan Paid Leave Working Group with Rep. Bice, I did so with a simple goal: to find durable, bipartisan policy solutions that help American workers, businesses, and families gain access to paid family and medical leave. Today, I am proud that our bill, the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act, now has a Senate companion, and I applaud Senators Boozman and Gillibrand for their leadership and partnership in advancing this effort. For more than three decades, roughly three in four American workers have lacked access to paid leave. We have a real opportunity to help states build programs that change that reality. Today, we've charted a clear bipartisan, bicameral path forward, and I urge House and Senate leadership to seize this opportunity and finally deliver paid leave for more American families," Houlahan said.

Roughly one-quarter of American workers currently have access to employer-provided paid family leave benefits. Disparities among state paid leave policies also create compliance challenges for employers operating in multiple states. Currently, 14 states and the District of Columbia have enacted mandatory paid leave laws.

This bipartisan legislation addresses a significant coverage gap by encouraging states and private companies to adopt or expand scalable, sustainable access to paid leave benefits.

Under the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act, eligible states would be awarded grants to implement their paid leave program and participate in I-PLAN. The programs must provide at least six weeks of paid leave and replace at least 67 percent of wages while capping the benefit at 150 percent of the state's average weekly wage rate. The bill instructs DOL to prioritize states that do not currently have an established paid leave program, emphasize paid family leave, participate in I-PLAN and have a lower percentage of the working population with access to paid leave benefits.

The bill is endorsed by Engage: Promoting Women's Economic Security, AARP, Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Action, Third Way, Chamber of Mothers and Patriot Voices.

"Engage celebrates the work of Senator John Boozman and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand with the introduction of the Senate companion of the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act. The legislation incentivizes the public and private sectors to work together responsibly and address the unique challenges facing caregivers. This is meaningful bipartisan governing at its best," said Engage Founder Rachel Pearson.

"The introduction of the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act in the Senate marks a pivotal moment for working families across America. This bill cuts through the confusing patchwork of state-paid family and medical leave laws, making it easier for workers to access these benefits when they need them most. Too many Americans lack access to paid leave. While more than 70 percent of young children live in households where both parents work, only 27 percent of employers offer paid leave benefits. This bill helps more families access this necessary support, which is why BPC Action applauds Sens. John Boozman (R-AR) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for their leadership. We also commend the House and Senate Bipartisan Paid Family Leave Working Groups for the collaboration that made this milestone possible," said BPC Action President Michele Stockwell.

"We appreciate that your legislation recognizes and supports paid leave for life's major events, including caring for a loved one. America is at a watershed moment, with 10,000 Americans turning 65 a day, a workforce struggling to keep pace with demand, and an increasing number of family members taking care of loved ones as they age. Seventy percent of working-age caregivers, ages 18 to 64, work while also caregiving. Your legislation will help support both a strong economy and family well-being by better equipping workers with the tools they need to meet their responsibilities at home and at work," said AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond.

Click here to view text of the bill.

Click here for a section-by-section summary.

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