WHAT: Sen. Sarah McBride will unveil legislation Wednesday that would ensure Delaware workers can access up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. The bill creates a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program that workers can access for a qualifying event, including addressing a serious illness, welcoming a new child or helping a household adjust to a recent military deployment.
The Healthy Delaware Families Act would provide Delaware workers with one of the most impactful new employment benefits in state history – at little or no cost to employers or their employees.
“More than anything else, this pandemic has shown us just how desperately Delaware’s working families need common-sense policies that work for them,” Sen. McBride said. “This legislation will help Delaware families keep food on the table and a roof over their heads, even while facing some of the most common challenges we experience as human beings.”
Senate Bill 1 would create a family and medical trust fund in Delaware modeled after similar programs already passed in nine other states and the District of Columbia. Delaware workers could then receive up to 80% of their average weekly wages through the state insurance program when forced to take extended time off from work due to a major medical event – leveling the playing field for small businesses that would otherwise be unable to provide the benefit on their own.
States with paid leave programs have seen higher worker morale and productivity, lower turnover costs for businesses and greater economic security for working families.
WHEN: 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 5
WHERE: Click here to register in advance for the virtual press conference.
WHO: Sen. Sarah McBride
Rep. Debra Heffernan
House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst
Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend
Dr. Margaret Chou, Secretary, Delaware Section American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
George Meldrum, President, AARP Delaware
Alisa Morkides, owner of Brew HaHa
Impacted workers