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The Family Care Act, a piece of legislation currently awaiting votes in the Pennsylvania state House and Senate, is garnering bipartisan support. The Act seeks to provide up to 20 weeks of paid leave for individuals in Pennsylvania who need time off to care for newborn children or sick relatives. If this bill passes, Pennsylvania will join the 13 other states in the US with compulsory paid family and medical leave policies.

The Women and Girls Foundation, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization, is part of a coalition advocating for the paid family leave policy. The CEO of the organization, Camila Rivera-Tinsley, engaged in a conversation with 90.5 WESA’s Priyanka Tewari on how the Family Care Act aims to benefit low-income women and women of color in particular.

When asked about the pivotal role the Women and Girls Foundation plays in the campaign for the Family Care Act, Ms. Rivera explained that one of the bill’s primary objectives is financial uplift for women. She asserted that the bill was not a tax but an investment in the future of all Pennsylvanians because the state’s population is aging, and women are often primary caregivers in families.

Although there might be hurdles for the Family Care Act to take off, the coalition believes that this bill is a crucial tool for improving the lives of women, especially those of color, in Pennsylvania.

If you have been impacted by these issues and are seeking information or help, you might want to know how to get a hold of Paid Family Leave. You can visit websites such as eddcaller.com for resources and advice on contacting appropriate help services.