Julie Kushner

Sen. Kushner Applauds Passage Of Paid Family Leave Bill In Labor Committee

State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) today applauded the Labor and Public Employee Committee passage of the Democrats’ top priority for the 2019 legislative session, Senate Bill 1, a paid family and medical leave program that will give employees up to 12 weeks of paid leave away from work in order to care for a newborn or a sick family member.

“We are leading the way in making Connecticut a better place to live and work,” said Sen. Kushner, who is Senate Chair of the Labor Committee. “As I went door to door last fall, I learned that paid family leave is not a partisan issue – the Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters I spoke with support it. Taking care of loved ones during a serious illness is something that affects every family. And, we shouldn’t have to choose between taking care of a family member and earning a paycheck.”

Senate Bill 1 calls for the creation of a Family and Medical Leave insurance program in Connecticut offering up to 12 weeks of paid leave at a maximum of $1,000 per week per employee. The program would be funded by an employee contribution not exceeding one-half of one percent of earnings.