New PA Bill Would Give Time Off For Miscarriages, Stillbirths

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — A trio of women state lawmakers are introducing legislation designed to support working families and individuals who experience pregnancy loss.

State Rep. Liz Hanbidge, D-61, announced that she will be joining Democratic State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, of the 17th Senatorial District, and State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, a Democrat representing the 157th Legislative District, on Oct. 15 on the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse to introduce the Pennsylvania Support Through Loss Act, which would give paid time off to those employees who experience pregnancy loss.

"The loss of a pregnancy is one of the most difficult experiences in the life of a parent," reads a sponsorship memorandum about the proposed legislation. "Every parent is going to handle this situation differently.

"Too often, women are not given the time to deal with this tremendous loss mentally or physically," the memo continued. "Instead, we rush mothers and fathers back to work, so they can move past it. We can do better for working mothers and fathers."

The proposed legislation would provide workers with three days of paid leave if they experience a pregnancy loss, such as a miscarriage or stillbirth, undergo unsuccessful fertility treatment, have a failed adoption or surrogacy arrangement, or receive a medical diagnosis that impacts fertility or pregnancy.

The lawmakers behind the bill say it is time for Pennsylvania to modernize its work leave polices and give employees time to heal and grieve in the face of such personal hardship.

"It is time we value women and other workers who decide to take the difficult steps towards parenthood," the sponsorship memo states. "This bill is the compassionate thing to do, it is the right thing to do."

According to Rep. Hanbidge's office, Pennsylvania currently has no law on the books that supports workers experiencing a pregnancy loss or related trauma.

The trio of legislators said they will be available during the 1 p.m. news conference this Friday to answer any questions about the proposed legislation.