March is Women’s History Month and this year, women are making waves in the Maine Legislature. House Assistant Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier and Senate Assistant Majority Leader Mattie Daughtry, co-chairs of the Commission to Develop a Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program, recently presented the commission’s findings and recommendations to the Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee.
Every other industrialized nation in the world has a paid family and medical leave policy. The United States is behind the times in this regard, but Maine can help pave the way forward on this issue by passing our own policy. Eleven other states, plus Washington, D.C., have recently enacted paid family and medical leave programs.
The proposal put forward by the commission includes several key recommendations that I think establish a strong foundation for an effective program. The commission recommends that all workers be included in the policy and that it be flexible so that Mainers can use it to care for a new child, a family member with a serious health condition or tend to certain emergencies related to a family member’s military deployment. They also recommend that employers with fewer than 15 employees be exempt from contributions, and that it include a 12-week leave benefit. Mainers deserve a paid family and medical leave policy that will deliver for workers, businesses and families, and this framework is a fantastic starting point.
Paid family and medical leave policies, in general, offer lots of benefits including for health outcomes, economic well-being and equity. Paid medical leave allows folks to pursue necessary medical treatment earlier, increasing access to preventative care and helping workers manage ongoing treatment. Access to paid leave also contributes to addressing disparities in pay based on gender. One reason women earn less than men is because they, more often than men, take time off to care for a young child or an aging parent. Empowering women by normalizing and compensating everyone equally for paid time off is critical to balancing the scales.
Not only do women have to take more unpaid time off without a paid leave policy, they are often at greater risk of losing their jobs. This ultimately harms families’ economic security as well as Maine’s labor force participation and economic growth. One study found that nationally, workers and their families lose $22.5 billion in wages each year due to a lack of paid family and medical leave.
Here in Maine, some businesses do offer paid leave policies, but most do not. Currently, 77% of all Mainers lack access to paid family and medical leave, and many do not even qualify for unpaid leave. However, the policy is popular in Maine, with 73% of Mainers indicating support, according to a recent survey.
As a small business owner, I know that Maine will benefit from a paid family and medical leave program, and I am so proud of my colleagues who have been working for over two years to develop the proposal that is now before us. From the commission’s recommendations, the Legislature will consider several models for a potential program. I am incredibly excited about what this policy will mean for Maine, but especially for the women of our state. I will be sure to keep you updated on its progress as it moves through the legislative process and look forward to hearing your feedback.
If you have any questions or concerns about this issue or any others, please feel welcome to reach out to me.
Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry, D-Gorham, is serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives. She is the House Majority Leader, where she serves as head of the Democratic caucus. Outside of her legislative work, Rep. Terry is a chef and small business owner. Contact her at maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov.