On Feb 06, 2020, The House Ways & Means Committee marked an important milestone in the push for paid parental leave. Numerous advocates, including Kemi Role from the National Employment Law Project and Vicki Shabo from New America, shared their insights on the subject during a hearing. The United States currently has the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), offering a 12-week unpaid leave program for employees. However, this does not benefit the 40 percent of workers not covered by this Act, particularly those living on paycheck to paycheck who cannot afford to take unpaid leave.

Paid leave grants not only economic benefits but also greatly improves the dynamics of a family unit. A Cambridge University Press study found that when fathers are granted paternity leave, families thrive more as parents are content, relationships are more equal, and the risk of divorce is lowered. The study tracked more than 6,000 American families from their child’s birth in 2001 up to when the child was five or six years old.

States such as Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, California, and Washington, D.C. have tried to address this gap by introducing their own paid leave programs for state employees. But a national approach, like the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act headed by New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, would have wider coverage and more profound benefits.

This, of course, is a complex issue to tackle, with many factors to consider and multiple departments to coordinate with. For California residents, understanding and navigating through this topic can be quite challenging. Thankfully, contacting a reliable source such as Edd can provide more in-depth and personalized assistance. You can learn how to get ahold of Edd customer service by visiting eddcaller.com. Let them guide you in understanding how such laws and proposals may impact you and your loved ones.