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Paid Family Leave Requirements Could Bring More People To Ohio, Lawmakers Say

Karen Kasler
(left to right) Rep. Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus); Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights); Elizabeth Brown, executive director, Ohio Women’s Public Policy Network";

State lawmakers want to ensure that all workers in Ohio get paid family leave so women and men can take care of a newborn or care for a family member who’s sick.

Democratic legislators are pushing for a bill that would require 12 weeks of paid family leave. The lawmakers, including Representative Kristin Boggs, are leaning on their Republican counterparts to consider how these policies could help the state attract new workers.

“By adopting a statewide paid family leave policy, we believe we are sending a message across the country that Ohio is a place where you can work and raise a family,” said Boggs.

Supporters of the bill say women who use paid family leave are 39% less likely to receive public assistance.

A similar bill was introduced in 2016 and never moved out of committee nor had any Republican co-sponsors.

Contact Andy at achow@statehousenews.org.
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