Florida Family Leave Act Gains Traction

Florida bills SB1194 and HB899 are gaining traction through the Florida Legislature, and they would require employers to give new parents 3 months of paid family leave.

The issue has been a controversial matter that has divide lawmakers and voters.

With “the Florida Family Leave Act,” it would call for businesses allowing “certain employees take paid family leave to bond with minor child upon child’s birth, adoption, or foster care placement.”

Both bills were introduced by Florida lawmakers, Senator Janet Cruz (D) and Rep. Tracie Davis (D).

However, it should be noted that the employee must have worked in the business for at least a year and a half before the individual can ask for paid family leave.

SB1194 reads, “the need for paid family leave has increased as the participation of both parents in the workforce has increased and the number of single parents has grown.”

Moreover, “despite knowing the importance of time spent bonding with a new child, the majority of workers in this state are unable to take family leave because they are unable to afford leave without pay.”

Speaking on the legislation, Cruz commented that “this takes some of the pressure off the employer, really, if the employee has contributed to a plan where they can pay their own time off or pay their own way.”

She suggested a payroll deduction system that would allow employees to set money aside that would help them pay for their own time off in the event of having a new child.