Increased Parental, Family Leave Greenlit By Rhode Island Senate

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Senate approved a bill Thursday that, if signed into law, would nearly double the amount of parental or family leave available in the state.

Sen. Sandra Cano, the legislation's sponsor, called the move "the right thing to do for our families with newborns and those that are taking care of sick or incapacitated loved ones."

"As the past two years have taught us, spending time with, supporting and caring for our loved ones is perhaps the most important thing one can do, and this legislation will not only give these caregivers more time with their loved ones, it will support entire families going through difficult times," Cano said.

The legislation would allow employees up to 24 weeks of parental or family leave in any two calendar years, nearly twice the current 13 weeks. This would apply to all employees who work at a company for 12 consecutive months. Employees would have to give at least 30 days' notice before starting and ending their leave, unless prevented from doing so by a medical emergency.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.