Lawmakers discussed proposed legislation on Tuesday that would give state employees 12-weeks paid family leave for the birth or adoption of a child.
Louisville Reps. Jason Nemes-R and Josie Raymond-D told the members of the General Assembly’s Interim Joint State Government Committee this bill would not be unique to Kentucky. “A lot of states have already passed this, and it is something President Trump ran on in 2016 and is running on it in 2020,” said Nemes.
Written by Tom Latek of Kentucky Today
The legislation would allow state employees, who have been on the job for at least a year, a paid leave of absence of 12 weeks for the birth or adoption of a child. Time off must be used during the first 24 weeks and would include both the new mother and father if they work for the state.
Nemes said the issue enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress. “In late 2019, the Democrats in the House and Republicans in the Senate came together and passed this bill for federal workers. So, this is Kentucky getting board which both Republicans and Democrats getting on board across the country and in Washington.”
Nemes stated they are not proposing the bill just because Democrats and Republicans across the country are bringing it. “We’re bringing it because it’s pro-Kentucky family, it’s pro-Kentucky job, and most importantly, it’s pro-Kentucky baby.”
Raymond testified about the benefits that would result from such legislation. “When moms can stay home and focus on the baby, we see that breastfeeding rates are higher, we see that parental stress is lower, and most critically, we see a reduction in infant hospitalization and infant deaths.”
She also said time off would help create stronger bonds in the family. “Dads who take leave are more involved in caring for that baby, months and years later. When moms take parental leave, they read more to the child, months, and years later. We’re talking about 12 short weeks that really lay a foundation for years and years to come.”
Raymond cited private employers who offer paid parental leave. “In Louisville, where I’m from, that’s places like Humana, GE, Amazon, YUM! Brands, Papa John’s, Brown-Forman, Ford, and UPS. We’re asking Kentucky to care for its workers and families the same way.”
The bill will be up for consideration during the 2021 General Assembly.
Update on contact tracing
Also appearing before the committee on Tuesday was Mark Carter, who heads up the COVID-19 contact tracing program at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
He told lawmakers there are 1,337 contact tracers in Kentucky, up from 431 during normal times, working at state and local public health departments. Carter said even with triple the number of staff there are still issues.
“The rise in cases the last couple weeks and some of the non-compliance that we see around the state with facial coverings and social distancing, really has begun to tax our staffing,” Carter said. “Generally, we’re keeping up with the disease at the moment, but we are concerned that if we keep seeing these increases, at some point it’s going to be more and more challenging to this effort.”
He said trying to control the spread of the coronavirus is an integrated effort. “It takes testing, it takes social distancing, it takes masking. All those things have to work together with contact tracing to help stop the spread of the disease.”
Carter told lawmakers contact tracing efforts cost the state $8.5 million a month, which is covered by $78 million from the federal CARES Act.
He also told them that once an effective vaccine is widely distributed, they can return the staffing to a more normal level but that it is unclear when that will occur.
While the CARES Act funding is expected to last into next year, even at the higher staffing level, Carter said Congress needs to give them an extension beyond the current December 31 deadline to spend the money they have been allocated.
–30–
Written by Tom Latek. Cross-posted from Kentucky Today.