Family leave with pay.

• Author: Mejeur, Jeanne
• Position: TRENDS & TRANSITIONS

Rhode Island became the third state to enact paid family leave, effective Jan. 1, 2014. The statute covers all private sector employers. Local public sector employers may choose to participate in the program. The legislation was approved by wide margins in the state House and Senate.

The new law, called the Temporary Caregiver Insurance Program, provides partial wage replacement benefits for workers who take time off work to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, domestic partner, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, or to bond with a new child. "Supporting family caregivers saves medical costs by letting people remain in their homes for care, and, it can protect caregivers from losing their jobs and going on unemployment," says Representative Elaine Coderre (D), one of the bill's main sponsors.

In more than 70 percent of Rhode Island families with children, both parents work, and most need both incomes to pay their bills and family expenses.

Workers must give their employer 30 days notice of their intent to use the benefit, except in unforeseeable circumstances. They must also have earned a minimum of $9,300 in the previous year and have paid into the program to qualify for benefits.

Sponsor Senator Gayle Goldin (D) says the legislation has already had a tremendous impact. "As legislators, we don't often get to champion legislation that has such an immediate, positive impact on people's lives. TCI has already helped 900 families in Rhode...