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WHEREAS, Paid family and medical leave would allow workers to take time away from work to care for themselves or loved ones during critical life events, including the birth or adoption of a child, recovery from serious illness or injury, caring for an elderly or ill family member, addressing family matters related to military deployment, or seeking safety from domestic violence or abusive caregiving situations; and,
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WHEREAS, Medical experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend a minimum of twelve (12) weeks of paid leave for families, yet without paid leave protections, as many as twenty-three percent (23%) of employed mothers return to work within ten (10) days of childbirth due to financial pressure; and,
WHEREAS, Research shows that access to paid family leave significantly improves maternal and infant health outcomes, including a reduction in maternal rehospitalization following childbirth and lower rates of infant rehospitalization and postnatal mortality; and,
WHEREAS, Access to paid family leave has been shown to reduce racial disparities in health outcomes, as Black mothers with paid leave experience fewer preterm births, improved postpartum care access, and better infant health outcomes, addressing inequities that disproportionately affect families in Pittsburgh and across the Commonwealth; and,
WHEREAS, Paid family and medical leave strengthen workforce participation and economic stability, as employees who can take paid leave are more likely to return to the workforce within one year postpartum and are significantly less likely to rely on public assistance programs during their child's first year of life; and,
WHEREAS, By midlife, a substantial portion of the workforce experiences work-limiting health conditions, emphasizing the importance of paid leave protections that allow workers to recover and remain attached to the labor force; and,
WHEREAS, Allowing a family member time off to care for an elderly parent ...
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