For the second year in a row, the Rhode Island Senate is leading the charge to double the amount of paid leave available to new parents and caregivers of sick family members.
law Approved on a 31-3 vote Thursday, with four members absent, the goal is to bring Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program in line with other states and provide paid parental leave. Increase the duration from 6 weeks to 12 weeks. It also expands the pool of eligible caregivers to include grandchildren and siblings who care for a sick family member.
“This bill provides valuable time resources at a critical time in Rhode Islanders’ lives,” Senate Majority Whip Valarie Lawson, an East Providence Democrat and the bill’s sponsor, said in a statement. “Everyone should have the opportunity to care for their loved ones.”
Senate Republican Minority Leader Jessica Delacruz voted against the bill Thursday, along with Republicans Anthony DeLuca and Thomas Paolino.
A similar proposal passed the Senate last year but failed to gain traction in the House, where it was held in committee for further consideration. Still, Senate leaders remained undaunted, including President Dominic Ruggerio, who has made increasing paid family leave one of his top priorities for the 2024 session.
Related laws and regulations The bill was introduced in the House earlier this year by Rep. Joshua Giraldo, D-Central Falls, and had its first hearing in the House Labor Committee on Feb. 14. The House bill was still being considered in the same committee as of Friday.
“Too many workers are currently not covered by the TCI because the definition of family is too strict,” Girard said in a statement. “This bill will ensure that workers who need to care for siblings, grandchildren, and dependents don’t have to worry about being dropped from their jobs.”
The policy was approved by a wide range of health care, business, and labor interests, including the Institute for Economic Progress, AARP, New England Health Employees Union, Rhode Island Kids Count, Latino Policy Institute, and Rhode Island Black Business. It has garnered support from advocacy and policy groups. associations etc.
““Paid family leave is a critical resource that allows families to properly welcome new children and care for elderly or sick loved ones,” said Divya Naar, policy analyst at the Institute for Economic Progress. said in a statement. “Rhode Island was a national leader when paid family leave was first passed in 2013, but has since fallen behind other states with similar programs. Rhode Islanders love You have the right to expanded paid family leave to properly care for others.”
In fact, in 2013, Rhode Island became the third state to approve a paid parental leave policy funded by payroll deductions.
As of January 2024, 13 states and the District of Columbia have mandated paid family leave programs. Bipartisan Policy Center.
Most of these states, including Massachusetts and Connecticut, already offer more generous leave and pay policies. For example, in Connecticut, workers receive 95% of their paycheck for 12 weeks, while in Massachusetts they receive 80% of their regular income for the same period. Rhode Island’s current policy pays recipients 60% of their income for up to six weeks.
If signed, the bill would go into effect on January 1st.
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