“Shockingly, the United States lags far behind the rest of the world in providing family leave benefits, and it’s time for that to change. If we truly want to support workers and their families, paid family leave is essential. It would benefit our economy, helping small businesses compete better with larger companies in attracting and retaining good employees.

“Businesses often help employees in times of trouble. This legislation will make it easier for them to do so by setting up an insurance fund, much like short-term disability, which will pay for family leave so that employers do not have to do so. Both employers and employees win as a result.”

“That’s why I’m sponsoring this bill that would mandate paid family leave in New York State so workers can take time off to care for a newborn, a newly adopted child or a sick family member without significant loss of income. We must support young families as they work to begin a new chapter in their lives and help those caring for a family member. It’s the right thing to do, and now I urge the Senate and governor to support the passage of the Assembly’s paid family leave bill.”