Most new parents who want to take family leave from work in Pennsylvania can can do it, but they’re not going to be paid. That could change as lawmakers across the country are pushing to enact a federal law that would allow people to collect an income while on family leave.
It’s called the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act. The proposed law would establish an independent fund that employees would contribute to with a small portion of their paychecks. The money from the fund would be used to pay an employees salary when they take family leave for a newborn or to care for a sick relative.
A Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce spokesman said that it could be abused, but many parents in Pennsylvania support the bill including democratic Congressman Bob Brady who co-sponsored it.