Oregon businesses would have to offer employees paid time off to care for children or family members under a bill being considered in Salem. The measure would require employers to pay into a fund that workers could use for up to 12 weeks per year, or more in the case of parental leave.
Democratic Rep. Jennifer Williamson of Portland testified in favor of the bill at a hearing Thursday.
"Too many families in this state are living on the margins and just one planned hardship away from financial ruin or becoming homeless,” she said. “And in front of us we have an opportunity to provide working Oregonians with the kind of security they need to thrive and prosper."
Business groups said the bill is "over-reaching" and that it would make it hard for smaller companies to manage their operations.
Betsy Earls of Associated Oregon Industries said "the length of leave is overly burdensome" and "could leave some small businesses short-staffed for much of the year."
Both state and federal law already require larger companies to provide unpaid family medical leave. The measure under consideration would apply to all Oregon businesses.
According to a summary of the measure prepared by legislative staff, California, New Jersey, Rhode Island are the only states that currently offer paid family leave, with new laws in New York and Washington, D.C. taking effect soon.
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