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We are in the thick of the legislative session and while we often spotlight proposed policies that we are defending against, I want to take a moment to showcase our work on paid family and medical leave (PFML), a proactive policy that would benefit nearly all of us.
As a member of the Paid Leave for Working Kansans Coalition, we are part of a broad-based group united in our purpose to secure paid leave for workers to take parental leave, leave for a serious illness or that of a loved one, elder care and military leave. Seventy-nine percent of Kansas workers do not have access to PFML, forcing a choice between family wellbeing and economic stability. Rather than creating difficult choices, it is time to meet the inevitable needs of work/family balance. The reality is most of us will experience one, if not many, of the circumstances listed above, and it is time to adapt.
There are 13 states and Washington, DC, that currently have comprehensive PFML, with more states moving in that direction every year. Forty states have paid parental leave for state government employees, including Kansas.
Over the past two legislative sessions, we have had the opportunity to testify before Senate and House committees, along with issue and regional bipartisan caucuses. In between these formal settings have been dozens of one on one meetings with legislators as we build support for the concept of PFML. Our goal is to introduce legislation in 2027.
Look for our podcast on PFML, which will drop in mid-March, as other coalition members join me for a conversation on the impact of this family-friendly policy.
Gratefully,
Tracy Russell
Chief Executive Officer, Nurture KC
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