Allegheny County passes first countywide paid parental leave law

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Allegheny County in Pennsylvania, which includes the city of Pittsburgh and its suburbs, has passed what is described as the first countywide paid parental leave policy in the United States. The county council approved the ordinance on Tuesday, October 20, by a vote of 11 to 4.

Under the policy, businesses with 15 or more employees will have to provide 12 weeks of paid leave. The rule takes effect one year after the bill is signed by Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, who advocated for the measure. Employers will bear the full cost of the leave.

Who is covered

• Birthing parents and their partners.
• Parents who adopt a child or experience a stillbirth.
• Full-time employees after six months with their employer, and part-time workers who have logged at least 625 work hours.
• Remote employees whose employers are based in other states.

The ordinance does not apply to independent contractors or temporary employees.

Changes before the vote

The Allegheny County Health Department proposed the policy on May 13, and it was revised after feedback from employers and residents. The leave period was reduced from 18 weeks to 12, and the minimum company size was raised from one employee to 15. According to the law firm Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, the county received more than 1,500 public comments on the proposal.

At Tuesday's meeting, council members who supported the ordinance pointed to health benefits for babies and parents when paid leave is available. Members who voted against it raised concerns about the financial impact on businesses. The council received a standing ovation in the meeting room after the vote.

There is no paid federal leave law in the United States; the Family and Medical Leave Act requires employers to provide 12 weeks of unpaid leave. According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, fourteen states and the District of Columbia have mandatory paid family leave systems, and nine more offer voluntary systems that provide paid family leave through private insurance. Most public programs offer eight or 12 weeks, with differing eligibility rules, wage replacement rates and maximum weekly benefits.

Source: Pennsylvania county becomes first in nation to pass paid parental leave