Washington state on Tuesday was awarded nearly $250,000 to study and analyze how paid leave programs can be developed and implemented statewide.
The award is part of a $1.5 million nationwide grant provided to eight states by the United States Department of Labor to study paid family and medical leave.
“This is an important signal supporting our efforts to help rebuild the middle class families on which our communities depend,” said Sen. Karen Keiser, D- Kent, who sponsored Washington’s first family and medical leave legislation more than nine years ago. “When working families thrive, our communities thrive and our entire society is healthier.”
Keiser’s legislation was signed into law in 2007. Up until now, it has gone unfunded. This award will explore how to fully implement the law for the first time.
According to the United States Department of Labor, paid leave programs have been shown to improve health outcomes for children, adults and seniors; reduce turnover and increase employee retention, which cuts down on training costs for businesses; keep workers attached to the labor force; and boost earnings over time.
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