Paid family and medical leave allows new parents to take job-protected leave from their employer to take care of their newborn child and receive a portion of their wages.
Key Facts:
- PFML results in higher birth weights, more doctor’s visits, complete immunizations, better parent-child bonding, increased health benefits due to more breastfeeding and better quality care for children with special needs.
- PFML benefits women of color, who have disproportionately higher rates of mortality and pregnancy complications.
- PFML has been shown internationally to lower the mortality rates in neonatal, infants and child under 5 years old by 9-10%.