Many working Georgians do not have a single paid sick day from their employers, but that could change if House Bill 1517 passes.
Democratic legislators filed the bill March 3, 2022, with the hope of creating the Georgia Family Insurance Act.
If passed, the act would create a family and medical leave insurance fund where both employees and employers jointly contribute, rather than putting the burden on employers alone.
Individuals could draw from this fund when they need time to care for a new child or in case of any family or medical emergency.
Women make up 48% of the state’s workforce, and they are nearly 12 times more likely than men to leave their jobs to care for children. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed even more people into caregiving roles that keep them from earning income.
The Georgia chapter of 9to5, National Association of Working Women is an organization that advocates for economic justice issues.
Director Mica Whitfield said the state needs policy solutions that strengthen the workforce because many women must make tough decisions between caregiving and returning to work.
HB 1517 is not only good for business but it's also good for public health in general, she said.
"Georgia currently has no law providing all workers with paid leave to care for a new child, a seriously ill family member or for their own serious illness," she said, noting that 80% of Georgia voters support an insurance plan to provide paid leave.
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