On Wednesday, State Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book (D-FL) alongside State Representative Hillary Cassel (D-FL) introduced a bill to ensure paid family leave for state employees who give birth, including cases such as the tragic, traumatic experience of stillbirth.
According to Sen. Book’s press release, the Senate Minority Leader introduced the legislation (SB 576) in response to a D.C. public school teacher who was barred from receiving paid time off following the stillbirth of her daughter.
“Paid family leave is critical for ALL mothers, regardless of the circumstances of their child’s birth,” said Sen. Lauren Book, mother of five-year-old twins. “If you have given birth, you deserve time to heal. We are going to protect that for State employees.”
Book’s cohort for SB 576 gave her thoughts about the proposed legislation as well.
“When a mother is forced to say goodbye and make plans to bury her baby instead of bringing her baby home — still struggling with postpartum hormones, with her milk coming in, with the physical trauma of birthing a child, and the emotional pain of this great loss — there is no reason to deny her paid leave,” says Rep. Cassel, also a mother. “This is a bipartisan issue and a compassionate, family-first policy that puts the physical and mental health of mothers first.”
Alongside Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), the two have come together in order to bring wins to parents with the elimination of sales tax on diapers.
At a press conference in Jacksonville on Tuesday, Gov. DeSantis spoke on legal reform and mentioned a proposal that looks to end taxes on “baby items” such as diapers, wipes, cribs, and strollers as well.
This is the third time that Book has filed this bill to the State Legislature.
