National Partnership for Women & Families joins Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill to reintroduce paid leave and paid sick days, including paid safe leave for survivors of domestic abuse

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 18, 2023 – In a renewed push for a national, comprehensive paid family and medical leave program, the National Partnership for Women & Families joined leaders on Capitol Hill to reintroduce paid leave and paid sick days legislation.

The FAMILY Act, introduced by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand would guarantee up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave.The Healthy Families Act, introduced by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Senator Bernie Sanders would provide up to one week of paid sick leave. In addition, the legislation would give survivors of sexual assault or domestic abuse the ability to use their paid sick leave as paid safe days to handle the consequences of the violence they’ve experienced. A new analysis from the National Partnership and Futures Without Violence details the importance of paid safe days in the FAMILY Act and Healthy Families Act, highlighting the positive impact on businesses and workplaces.

“We were so elated to join Rep. DeLauro, Sen. Gillibrand and Sen. Sanders for the reintroduction of the FAMILY Act and Healthy Families Act. They have each been tireless partners in the fight for paid family and medical leave, and paid sick leave legislation,” said Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “Our country is one of the remaining few that don’t have national paid leave or sick time policies, and it’s time to provide a national standard for these basic rights for families. It’s urgent that Congress act to make these bills law.”

Over 200 organizations from across the country signed on to letters in support of the FAMILY Act and Healthy Families Act – many joined NPWF, congressional leaders, and advocates at the rally on Capitol Hill.

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