Laws in Pennsylvania would increase provisions of family go away for ailing kin | State

(The Center Square) – Sponsored by Pennsylvania Senator Christine Tartaglione, legislation to extend family and sick leave for employees caring for a sick loved one was unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania Senate Labor and Industry Committee.

If passed, Senate Act 617, also known as the Pennsylvania Family and Medical Leave Act, would require employers to give an employee up to six weeks of unpaid leave to care for a sibling, grandparent, or grandchild who is with a certified terminal suffers illness if the relative does not have a living spouse, son or daughter over the age of 17 or a parent under the age of 65.

Current federal law only provides for the same employee benefits if the sick relative is the employee’s spouse, son, daughter or parent.

The bill received a bipartisan co-sponsorship.

“At some point in our lives we all need time to take care of our loved ones. And nobody should have to sacrifice their career when family priorities have to be paramount, ”Tartaglione said in a press release. “My legislation would give all workers, regardless of their job or income, the freedom to carry out their family duties without suffering any harmful professional effects.”

The bill was submitted to the entire Senate for consideration.