SANTA FE — The House of Representatives passed the Welcome Child and Family Wellness Leave Act, an updated parental and medical leave proposal, by a vote of 38-31 Feb. 28. The amended version of House Bill 11 would provide New Mexicans with job protection and time off when they need it most, while significantly reducing contributions required from both employers and employees.
“The success of New Mexico’s economy and local businesses depends on our workers,” bill sponsor Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) said. “Right now, when New Mexicans fall ill, need to take care of a loved one, or welcome a child into their home, they may risk losing their jobs. That’s not good for families or for business. We have incorporated the input we received from the community to develop a leave plan that works for workers, families, and businesses.”
The amended HB 11 would provide Family Wellness Leave for workers to take up to six weeks of paid time off when they have to care for a loved one, deal with a serious health condition, are called to military duty, welcome a foster child, are grieving the loss of a child under 18, or when they or a loved one is a survivor of domestic violence, stalking, or abuse.
The Family Wellness Fund would be funded by contributions from both employers and employees. Employers would contribute 0.15% of their payroll and employees would contribute 0.2% of their income. A New Mexican making $60,000 per year would contribute $10 a month. A business with a payroll of $500,000 would contribute $62.50 a month.
Small businesses with less than five employees would be exempted from making employer contributions, but their workers would still be eligible for Family Wellness Leave, so small businesses can remain on equal footing in recruiting and retaining employees.
New parents would be eligible for 12 weeks of parental leave during which their jobs would be protected. Families would receive $3,000 per month for the first three months following their child’s birth or adoption, supported separately by a new Welcome Child Fund. Funding for the Welcome Child Fund would come from existing state accounts, rather than business and employee contributions.
Workers would be eligible to take Family Wellness Leave after paying into the Fund for at least six months. Most workers who participate in the program would receive a percentage of their typical salary during the leave. Those who earn minimum-wage would receive their full wages. Self-employed individuals could also participate in the program.
All New Mexicans who have worked in the state for at least six of the prior 12 months would be eligible for the established payments under Welcome Child Leave.
Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce CEO Bill Lee has been opposed against this bill for years. In an interview with the Sun, he said he was disappointed that the bill passed the House. He did thank McKinley County Reps. Patty Lundstrom, D.Wonda Johnson, and new District 6 Rep. Martha Garcia.
“I will say we owe a big thank you to our representatives, Rep. Patty Lundstrom, Rep. Martha Garcia, who has only been on the job for two days, and Rep D.Wonda Johnson, who all really took time to listen to our points,” Lee said. “They’ve been real allies and fighters for our business community and their employees. They voted no. Patty and D.Wonda were part of the reason we were able to stop it the last couple years.”
The Welcome Child and Family Wellness Leave Act now moves to Senate committees.
