Oregon could join California, Washington in universal paid family and medical leave

Samantha Hawkins
Statesman Journal

This story has been updated to reflect the correct starting date. 

Oregon legislators took another stab at developing a paid family and medical leave policy, a top priority for both Democrats and Republicans who are quickly approaching the end of the session.

House Bill 2005 passed out of the House Committee on Rules Thursday and will head next to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. It has not yet received a floor vote in either chamber. 

The policy would allow up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new children, sick family members and victims of domestic violence, a number that was negotiated down from 32 weeks in an earlier bill.

Memorial:A life devoted to service shared at Sen. Jackie Winters' Capitol event

The compromised bill received significant support from the business community.

"We believe it's a balanced approach," said Paloma Sparks from Oregon Business  & Industry, an advocacy organization that represents 1600 businesses throughout the state. "There was a lot of negotiation involved."

Currently, Oregon follows the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows eligible workers to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave, a luxury few can afford. 

Father holding his newborn son, singing some lullabies while putting him to sleep

According to Paid Leave US, one in four moms return to work within two weeks after having a baby because they can't afford to take the time off. But the proposed policy encourages all employees to take time for their families.  

Under the bill, if a worker earned less than 65% of Oregon's average weekly wage, they would receive a 100% wage replacement during their leave.

“For far too long, workers have been forced to choose between taking care of a new baby or loved one, and losing economic security,” Jess Giannettino Villatoro, political director of labor union Oregon AFL-CIO, testified before the House Committee on Rules Tuesday afternoon. 

The paid leave policy functions as a social insurance program where employees and employers would split the cost of the program 60-40, giving a small percent of their payroll — capped at 1% — to a state-managed insurance fund. Employers could also opt to pay the full amount. 

New sheriff:Commissioners select Commander Joe Kast next Marion County sheriff

Wiggle room is given to small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, who could qualify for grants to foot their portion of the bill. Many small businesses feel like the program levels the playing field between them and large businesses, who might already be able to afford to offer their employees paid leave.

"Folks feel like it is a pretty small price to pay for insurance benefits," Andrea Paulso of Family Forward Oregon, said of worker support for the bill.

But Rep. Carl Wilson, R-Grants Pass, says he doesn't think the payroll deductions are the true cost of the program — it's hiring replacement workers. "I can't just go and find an experienced radio personality for 12 weeks," Wilson said, who is a small market broadcaster.

Rep. Carl Wilson, R-Grants Pass, waves to a colleague as the House of Representatives convenes at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem on the first day of the 2019 legislative session, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019.

Large corporations could more easily make a temporary hire or assign other workers to cover the absent employee's responsibilities. But small businesses might have difficulties finding specialty people for just three months. 

"I fear what we're doing is creating an environment where it is very difficult to fill that position," said Anthony Smith of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Smith says this would be a huge burden for the smallest businesses, who would be out 20% of their employees if one employee on a five person team took their paid leave.

If the long-anticipated legislation becomes law, Oregon would join six other states, including California and Washington in passing paid family leave laws, benefits effective in 2023.

Reach the reporter at shawkins@gannett.com or 503-399-67213