A paid leave plan -- championed by activists for more than a decade -- ultimately passed over objections from Republican lawmakers who, among other changes, attempted to exempt agricultural workers.
The Senate bill called for employees to cover 75 percent of the costs of the program, with employers paying 25 percent. The final approved bill leaves that issue unresolved; instead, it requires the state labor department to do a cost analysis to figure out how much the program should cost. Another study would decide whether the state or contractor should administer the program.
They offered numerous unsuccessful amendments, including a cap of 12 weeks instead of the 24 weeks that would be offered to certain new parents; an allowance for an employer to deny a claim if the worker’s absence will cause an employer “a hardship”; and an exemption for agricultural workers under the H2 visa program.
Economic Matter Chairman C.T. Wilson said the bill is for new birth or adoptive parents and employees who have a “serious health problem” or are caring for a family member who is seriously ill. A new parent who used 12 weeks due to a serious illness would be eligible for another 12 weeks to bond with a new child.Several lawmakers, including Sen. Antonio Hayes , the bill sponsor, told personal stories about the impact of paid leave on their lives during debate.