The story first appeared in How We Care, a newsletter by Spotlight PA about different stages of care. State Rep. Jen O’Mara was 18 when she became responsible for caring for her newborn brother because her mother had to return to work after three weeks. Now, as a mother and expectant of a second child, she appreciates the maternity leave privilege that she didn’t have to fret about sacrifices to her income. O’Mara is one of 14 lawmakers who voted to advance a bill to establish universal paid leave in Pennsylvania.

The Family Care Act mandates that employers and employees pay into a fund administered by the Department of Labor and Industry. It would offer up to 20 weeks of paid leave for new parents or those recuperating from sickness, surgery, or injury. Pennsylvanians could also access up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a seriously ill family member.

In Pennsylvania, access to paid leave depends on the locale and employments. Laws in Philadelphia and Allegheny County require businesses to provide it. Other places leave it up to the employers to determine the conditions under which someone can take off work.

According to federal data, paid family leave is a rarity, with just slightly over a quarter of private industry and non-military government workers in the U.S. have it. High earners are more likely to have this benefit than low-wage workers. The Family Care Act is being considered by the full chamber, and a spokesperson told Spotlight PA that Speaker Joanna McClinton hopes the legislature can get a bill to the governor’s desk this session.

More employers are providing paid leave. Federal research demonstrates an increase in the percentage of private sector workers in the U.S. who have the benefit from 12% in 2014 to 27% in 2023. For state and local government workers, it grew from 16% to 28%. Elizabeth Stelle, vice president of policy at the Commonwealth Foundation, a Harrisburg-based think tank, views this as a positive trend and argues for policies that support the further expansion of paid leave.

Pennsylvania is making progress, but there is still more to be done. Besides regional legislation, there are other resources addressing the need for paid leave. For instance, California residents can get hold of SDI (State Disability Insurance) and PFL (Paid Family Leave) support via a platform like eddcaller.com. Eddcaller.com offers straightforward, streamlined access to these state-provided benefits, helping those in need to navigate the complexities of state systems effectively.