LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – During Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s “What’s Next” speech in August, she pushed for a state paid family and medical leave law to guarantee paid time off for childbirth and other personal and family health-related issues.

While she didn’t propose details or endorse any specific legislation, she used her speech to talk about the issue on a personal level, discussing the birth of her first daughter while she was caring for her dying mother. Gov. Whitmer said during her speech, “I was sandwiched between them…That time forged me and showed me the challenges that so many Michiganders live every single day.”

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Currently, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which was passed in 1993 after being signed by President Clinton, requires employers with at least 50 workers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in any 12-month period. It guarantees the employee job security and uninterrupted health insurance and medical benefits. However, in order to take the leave, employees have to meet specific eligibility requirements.

Michigan employees are also covered by Michigan’s Paid Medical Leave Act which went into effect in March 2019. Michigan currently requires employers with at least 50 workers to provide 40 hours of paid leave annually – with eligible workers who accrue the benefit able to receive paid time off for their own illness or medical care – or to care for a relative.

But that is not good enough for some Michigan Democratic legislators. Legislation that was introduced in May regarding paid leave includes House Bill 4574, Senate Bill 332 and Senate Bill 333. The legislation includes such things as including up to 15 weeks of annual paid leave; requiring employers to pay into a state fund; allowing employers to deduct up to 50-percent of the cost from employee paychecks; and providing up to 65-percent of a worker’s pay. The legislation would also expand reasons accepted for the paid leave including school or workplace closures due to public health emergencies and mental health issues.

Currently, according to the Center for American Progress, only 11 states have some form of paid family leave.

Supporters of the introduced bills in Michigan think that the legislation would encourage more people back into the workforce and fill more job vacancies – and allow employees not to have to choose between their jobs and their health or the health of a loved one.

Michigan Senator Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) who introduced the bills in the Senate said in a statement that the creation of FLOC (MI Family Leave Optimal Coverage Act) would be a 21st century update to previous family leave policies and that providing paid leave would have an especially positive impact on marginalized communities. She said, “MI FLOC is a critical bill to address the issues faced by all people, but especially Black, brown and low-wage earners, who at some point in their career will need to take a significant amount of time to care for themselves or their loved ones.”

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Mothering Justice, a Detroit-based organization that advocates for the political empowerment of mothers of color also supports the bills. Aisha Wells, Mothering Justice’s director of organizing, said in a statement, “It is a sad reality that paid leave is completely out of reach for too many Michigan families today, especially folks who are Black, brown and low-income. Paid family leave is a necessity that allows parents and caregivers to take care of themselves and their families…Nobody should have to risk being fired from their job to take care of themself or their loved ones.”

Opponents of the legislation include those who think that the legislation puts too much of a burden on business owners and might lead to higher costs for businesses and customers and more short staffing around the state.

Amanda Fisher, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), said in a statement, “The majority of small business owners already do everything they can to provide paid leave and flexibility to their employees – this mandate could either cause small business owners to downsize, or close altogether.”

The NFIB website says, “NFIB has been at the forefront of fighting various paid leave proposals throughout the years and is alarmed by the potential harm to small business from this legislation. In addition to a new, socialized tax, small businesses cannot afford to replace employees with little or no notice.”

House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) does not support the proposals, arguing they would create a “payroll tax” for small businesses and workers alike. Michigan News Source reached out to him and he said, “To make matters even worse, Democrats are planning to create a new, burdensome payroll tax on small business and Michigan workers – in addition to an income tax hike. Democrats’ already spent all of Michigan’s resources in their budget, and they baked in the coming income tax hike to pay for their wasteful spending.” He added, “After years of rising costs of living, we should be making life more affordable, but the next radical items on Democrats’ agenda will on demand more money from the people of Michigan and send more residents looking for a better life out of state.”

Although the House bill has 36 Democratic sponsors and the Senate bills have ten, the bills haven’t moved anywhere in the past five months. Will they be moving forward anytime soon? With the governor wanting the legislation to pass before the end of the year, that seems likely; however, so far lawmakers have not held committee meetings on any of the bills.