WTOP News reports that Virginia Democrats are again backing a proposal for a universal paid family and medical leave program that would be run through the Virginia Employment Commission.
Two bills
Two bills — one in the House and one in the Senate — are making their way through this year’s General Assembly for a state-run family and medical leave program in Virginia.
The legislation submitted by Senator Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, and Delegate Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, would adopt the general model used for unemployment insurance to cover the costs of up to 12 weeks of leave for employees in a year for the following reasons:
- for the birth of a child
- care for a sick family member
- having a serious health condition themselves
Qualifying events
The federal Family and Medical Leave Act requires employers with 50 or more workers to provide up to 12 weeks of leave for similar reasons, known as qualifying events. The big difference is that it does not require that employees be paid during that time.