Assembly Dems pass child care, family leave reforms

By Kelly Fay

The Assembly passed a reform package last week they say will address the state's "child care crisis" and provide paid family leave. The series of bills was developed following a December 2013 report from the Assembly's six-member Child Care Commission, which made recommendations for reforming and investing in high-quality and accessible child care.

The 18-point agenda would allow 12 weeks of paid leave for employees who need to care for a relative or bond with a new child; limit co-pay on assisted child care subsidies to 20 percent of household income above the poverty level; establish a council and task force on child care and early learning and ease the burden on parents with young children searching for work. The Assembly will also include three initiatives to provide additional funding and increase access to subsidized child care in their budget plan next week.

"Every day in every region of our state, working parents and parents who want and need to work — predominantly women — are forced to choose between caring for their families and taking or keeping the jobs they need," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. "We've heard from a plethora of working families who are finding it nearly impossible to locate and secure quality affordable child care or elder care, and these families are pleading for action and relief."

Silver, D-Manhattan, said the availability of childcare for low-income families has remained stagnant in past years despite an increase in need. Supporters of the agenda hope to address the shortage with $400 million in investments in subsidized child care over the next four years.

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-03-10-87119.113122-Assembly-Dems-pass-child-care-family-leave-reforms.html