U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D‑N.Y.) and John Boozman (R‑Ark.) on July 16 introduced the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act, bipartisan legislation intended to expand access to paid family and medical leave by encouraging states to create or scale state-run programs.
What the bill would do
The proposal would create a competitive three‑year pilot grant program, run by the U.S. Department of Labor, to support states that establish paid leave programs meeting minimum standards. To qualify for the pilot, a state program must:
- Provide at least six weeks of leave for qualifying reasons, including parental, medical, or caregiving leave;
- Deliver benefits in partnership with a private entity such as an insurance company or benefits administrator; and
- Offer wage replacement of roughly 50–67% depending on earnings, with benefits capped at 150% of the state’s average weekly wage.
The legislation would also create the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (I‑PLAN) to help states coordinate and harmonize benefits and benefit delivery across participating states. States that participate in I‑PLAN could receive conforming grants and separate implementation grants ranging from $1.5 million to $8 million annually to help with administrative costs, technology, staffing, training and outreach.
Priorities and support
The Department of Labor would be instructed to prioritize pilot grants for states that do not currently have an established paid leave program, emphasize paid family leave, participate in I‑PLAN, and have a lower share of workers with access to paid leave.
The bill lists endorsements from multiple national organizations, including AARP and the Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and the release says companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House by Reps. Stephanie Bice (R‑Okla.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D‑Pa.).
Gillibrand’s role
Senator Gillibrand, described in the release as a longtime sponsor of national paid‑leave proposals, has led prior efforts such as the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, which would guarantee 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave nationwide. The new measure is framed as a bipartisan, state‑led model to expand access more quickly.
The full text of the Senate bill is posted by the sponsoring https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/5/f/5f0d7105-42c0-4d67-9faf-409326f9afb2/85C76C3691A17C058F45357A26AEA56D8BAE9C32583CE341952B7E4D3BF4D8BD.bill-text.pdf
