Pennsylvania requires only the federal minimum of parental leave benefits for private sector employees, according to a report released this week.
The Commonwealth earned a 'D' grade in the "Expecting More" [PDF] report from the D.C.-based National Partnership for Women & Families. NPWF gave most states a 'D' grade or lower for their policies toward workers who've just welcomed new children to their homes.
NPWF Director of Work & Family Programs Vicki Shabo said when it comes to the private sector Pennsylvania doesn't go beyond federal minimum requirements.
"Federal law requires up to twelve weeks [of leave] for workers in eligible businesses, but Pennsylvania doesn't go beyond that with any kind of law of its own," said Shabo.
She said public employees can get up to six months off, and the state doesn't discriminate against new employees — the two factors that saved Pennsylvania from receiving an 'F' grade.
But in the private sector, Pennsylvania doesn't require small businesses to offer unpaid parental leave. Also, Shabo said the Commonwealth doesn't provide workplace protections to nursing mothers beyond the federal minimum.
The NPWF likes to see states adopt strong family leave policies, but Shabo said a robust national standard is the true goal.
"It shouldn't matter whether you're a mother in Iowa, a father in Wisconsin, or if you're caring for in Utah," said Shabo. "You should have the same protections as workers in California, who happen to have the benefit of the first paid family leave insurance law in the country."
Shabo said the "Healthy Families Act" would establish stronger federal standards for family leave. The bill has been in Congress for several years. Shabo said the NPWF would testify on the legislation at a Senate committee hearing on Thursday morning.
