The Booty Report

Arrr! Th' Republican scallywags in th' Kentucky House be pushin' fer a bill t' make paid family leave easier t' get!

2024-01-30

Arr, me hearties! The scurvy dogs in Kentucky state House have given their hearty approval to House Bill 179, swearin' by the code of the sea. 'Tis a cunning plan, lettin' families choose to sail the high seas of paid leave, driven by the mighty winds of the market!

In a humorous tone, the article discusses the passage of legislation in Kentucky that aims to expand access to paid family leave. The legislation, known as House Bill 179, received overwhelming bipartisan support in the state House, with a vote of 92-1. It will now move to the Senate for consideration. The bill proposes a voluntary approach, allowing Kentucky employers to choose whether to offer paid family leave as a benefit to their employees. The goal of the legislation is to provide more workers with the ability to take time off from work when needed without placing mandates on employers.

If employers choose to offer the benefit, it would provide temporary wage replacement for workers who need to care for a sick relative, bond with a newborn child, or care for a relative in the military or a first responder injured in the line of duty. The length of paid leave benefits would be determined by the employer's plan. Supporters of the bill argue that it will help employers attract and retain workers, while also benefiting Kentucky families.

Republican Rep. Samara Heavrin, the bill's lead sponsor, emphasizes that it is a market-driven policy proposal with no mandates on employers, workers, or families. She states that there will not be any mandates on small businesses for paid family leave. Democratic Rep. Rachel Roarx, a cosponsor of the bill, views paid family leave as an important asset in retaining women in the workforce and making the state more competitive.

While the legislation is seen as a positive step, Heavrin acknowledges that it may not be enough for everyone. However, she believes it is more important to pass good policy than to completely deprive Kentucky families of any type of paid family leave. The bill also has potential benefits for employers already offering paid family leave benefits through self-insurance models, as they could see lower and more consistent costs through the voluntary insurance product allowed under the measure.

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