On April 14, the Delaware legislature voted to ensure that Delawareans can access the time off work they need to care for themselves and their loved ones without jeopardizing their economic security by passing the Healthy Delaware Families Act. (Update: On May 10, 2022 Delaware Governor Carney signed the bill into law! Read more about the law here.)
Starting in 2026, the First State’s new paid family and medical leave insurance program will provide paid leave to most Delaware workers at up to 80% of their usual wages in order to address a worker’s own health need, care for a family member with a serious health condition, bond with a new child, or address the impact of a family member’s military deployment. Covered workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks of parental leave, while those who need leave for their own or loved one’s serious health needs or for a family member’s deployment will be able to take up to 6 weeks of leave. Amidst a global pandemic, and as nearly 60% of workers in the state lack access to even unpaid, job-protected leave, this program will be a lifeline for working families across Delaware.
With this news, Delaware joins 10 other states and D.C. that have enacted paid family and medical leave programs of their own, most recently Maryland, which celebrated its own victory in April.
We are thrilled by this momentum in our continued fight to pass paid leave for every worker nationwide, and proud to have supported our partners in the Delaware Cares Coalition in fighting to pass this vital legislation.
