Universal Paid Leave Proposed in DC

DC Council chambers were crowded with babies, moms and dads Tuesday as the Universal Paid Leave Act of 2015 was introduced. The bill would provide paid family and medical leave for everyone who lives or works in the District; if passed, D.C. will be the first city in the nation to provide paid family and medical leave for everyone. “I’ve met countless new parents across the city who work in low-wage jobs and were forced to return to work before they were ready or fully able,” said Sheena Wadhawan, Advocacy Director of the DC Employment Justice Center. “As a new mom myself, that breaks my heart. We need policies that support working families, particularly during the kinds of life challenges we all face from time to time." The bill -- introduced by council members David Grosso and Elissa Silverman -- would allow working people to take up to 16 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child, an ailing family member, or a personal illness. “DC continues to stay on the cutting edge in the fight to improve the lives of working families,” said Metro Washington Council president Jos Williams. “Organized labor will continue to work with our community allies to ensure that this bill becomes a reality.” photos courtesy EJC

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