A bill to expand paid family and medical leave to Nevada’s public and private sector employees was introduced by Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch in the Nevada Legislature. The proposed legislation would provide parental leave for childbirth and adoption, serious medical leave, military leave, and “safe leave” for victims of domestic violence. La Rue Hatch emphasized the need for paid leave after hearing from constituents who struggled to care for their health or families without a paycheck. The bill is still in the drafting stages, with details such as the number of weeks and percentage of pay still being worked out to ensure it is meaningful for workers.
Currently, Nevada does not have a paid family leave policy, with only unpaid leave available under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Thirteen states and Washington D.C. have implemented paid family leave policies. A previous bill in 2023 requiring larger businesses to provide paid family leave was vetoed by Gov. Joe Lombardo but included in a special session law providing funding for the Major League Baseball development plan.
The proposal may face opposition from Republicans, with concerns raised about potential impact on attracting new businesses to the state. However, the bill has received immediate support from progressive, health advocacy groups, and labor unions who believe that no one should have to worry about losing their paycheck while facing a health crisis. Advocates stress that paid family and medical leave can ease the burden for families facing chronic illnesses or caregiving responsibilities. For more information, contact McKenna Ross at mross@reviewjournal.com. Follow @mckenna_ross_ on X.
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