For Immediate Release:
June 26, 2020
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, mnocella@dccouncil.us, 202.286.1987
Paid family leave benefits start July 1 in D.C.
Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso released the following statement regarding the Chief Financial Officer’s certification of sufficient funds to begin the payout of benefits on July 1, 2020 under the Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act, which Councilmember Grosso introduced along with Councilmember Elissa Silverman:
“This is monumental. Today’s certification by the CFO finally makes universal paid family leave a reality in the District of Columbia and creates an economy that works for both residents and businesses alike. No longer will working families in D.C. be forced to make the difficult choice between earning a paycheck or caring for a new family member or ailing loved one. Businesses across the District now have a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining highly qualified employees with a progressive benefit that they can offer to every employee at a fraction of the cost of providing it themselves.
“I want to thank Councilmember Elissa Silverman for her partnership in introducing this bill and her tenacious oversight of its implementation. I also greatly appreciate the hard work of Department of Employment Services Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes and the advocacy efforts of the D.C. Paid Leave Coalition, the National Partnership for Women and Families, Family Values @ Work, and others in articulating the need for paid family leave in the District of Columbia. We would not be where we are today without all of their incredible work.”
Under the program employees who have a child through birth, adoption, foster care or other legal placement will be eligible for up to eight weeks of paid leave. It also provides up to six weeks of paid leave to D.C. workers to care for a family member experiencing a serious health condition, and up to two weeks for a personal serious health condition. Workers will be able to receive up to 90 percent of their wages in those periods, capped at $1,000 per week.
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