Rhode Island: expand access to paid leave!

RI Senate, RI House of Representatives


ABOUT THIS PETITION

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for a well-funded and well-managed paid family leave program to help all Rhode Island families navigate caregiving responsibilities with work responsibilities, especially during times of emergency.

Rhode Island must make several improvements to the program so that all families, regardless of income, have access to a support that has helped so many Rhode Islanders weather the economic and health turbulence brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now is the time to improve Rhode Island’s paid family leave program. The data and stories over the last year could not be more clear: families need reliable, economically sufficient, and comprehensive paid leave benefits to care for loved ones during times of intense stress and change. Please sign our petition in support of S-0436 and H-5789 today.

To: RI Senate, RI House of Representatives
From: [Your Name]

Rhode Island’s Paid Family Leave program (TCI) has provided essential support for thousands of workers who have needed time off to care for a family member who is ill, or to bond with a baby. That has been especially true this year as the pandemic has upended our other caregiving systems.

But Rhode Island’s Paid Family Leave program is out of date. It provides just 4 weeks of time off, compared to 12 weeks in MA and CT. And it pays a much lower portion of a worker's wage. This lower reimbursement rate means the lowest wage workers—those who need the support most—are least likely to take advantage of the program.

This year has put caregiving in focus. It’s time to update our paid family leave law to match.

We strongly support S-0436 and H-5789, which increase the time available to 12 weeks, raises the reimbursement rate for low wage workers, covers gig workers, expands the definition of family to match modern caregiving relationships, and asks the high wage workers to contribute their fair share to TCI.

We are excited to see the Senate considering paid family leave this week. We urge you to pass S-0436 and H- 5789 and make sure we have a paid family leave system that really serves our families.