Woohoo! Sen. Janis Ringhand and Rep. Sondy Pope recently announced the Wisconsin Family Medical Leave Insurance Act. If passed, this bill would allow Wisconsinites to both care and provide for their families.
The bill proposes a state insurance program that would provide paid leave for workers who take time off in order to care for themselves, a new child, or a family member with a serious health condition.
No one should have to choose between their job and caring for their family. Common sense, right?
At some point, nearly everyone will need to take time away from work to deal with a serious personal or family illness, or to care for a new child, but only 15% of workers in the U.S. have access to paid leave through their employers. In fact, the U.S. is the only industrialized nation that doesn’t provide workers with paid family leave.
This state program would take the burden off of businesses and individuals and create an environment where workers can take care of their health and families and keep their job.
What are the impacts of paid leave?
- Paid leave strengthens the economic security of new parents.
- It improves long term health outcomes, especially for children with chronic health conditions.
- Paid leave benefits businesses, too! The insurance program allows businesses support and retain workers affordably.
- It provides support to victims of domestic abuse – including time off to go to court and receive counseling.
We at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin are proud to support the Wisconsin Family Medical Leave Insurance Act to empower people to lead healthy lives and achieve economic security.
Join us by contacting your legislators to urge them to support this important policy for Wisconsin families.
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