- A group of Democratic senators has reintroduced the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act. Originally introduced in 2015 by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the Family Act aims to pick up where the FMLA left off by creating an insurance program funded by joint contributions from workers and employers via a new 0.4% payroll tax. The legislation would provide up to 12 weeks of partial income for workers with serious health conditions, including pregnancy and childbirth recovery; the serious health condition of a child, parent, spouse or domestic partner; the birth or adoption of a child; or certain military caregiving and leave purposes. It would enable workers to earn up to 66% of their monthly wages and cover workers in all size companies, including younger, part-time, lower-wage, contingent and self-employed workers. The plan would be administered through a new Office of Paid Family and Medical Leave.
- Economic Security for New Parents Act. This proposal was introduced in August 2018 by U.S. Sen. Rubio, R-Fla., and Rep. Wagner, R-Mo. It’s aimed solely at new parents, creating an opportunity for them to pull forward a portion of their Social Security benefits to use for paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Later in life, they would delay the date at which they begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits to make up for the amount withdrawn during their leave.
