The United States stands alone among industrialized countries in failing to mandate paid family leave.  Low-income workers and their families are especially vulnerable as they often lack the financial resources needed to take advantage of unpaid time off.   

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT 

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires employers to provide unpaid leave for up to 12 weeks for employees to care for a newborn or newly adopted child, seriously ill family member, or to recover from their own serious health condition.  Although the law has helped many working Americans balance the demands of work and family, by protecting their jobs while they take time off to care, its reach is far too limited.  Click here to read more about the FMLA.

Several states have passed paid family leave laws.    In 2004, California became the first state to guarantee paid family and medical leave followed by New Jersey in 2008.  Washington State passed a paid family leave law in 2006 but has not been able to fund the program.

Interested in passing paid family leave in your state?  A Better Balance and the National Partnership for Women and Families have developed a model state paid family leave law. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to learn more.

States with Paid Family Leave in Effect

 CALIFORNIA

- California Paid Family Leave Law

- Fact Sheet about California Paid Family Leave 

NEW JERSEY

 - New Jersey Paid Family Leave Insurance Law and Regulations

 - ABB Guide to New Jersey Paid Family Leave

 Ongoing Efforts in Other States