WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, members of the bipartisan House Paid Family Leave Working Group, co-chaired by Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Stephanie Bice (R-OK), released two discussion drafts designed to provide more families with more paid leave. The co-chairs are joined in releasing these drafts by the full membership of the Working Group, Representatives Colin Allred (D-TX), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-IA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), and Julia Letlow (R-LA).  

Previously, the Working Group released a Policy Framework in January 2024. The two drafts being released today are the culmination of the group’s work in the 118th Congress and focus on 1.) providing guidance and incentives to states to establish their own paid family leave programs using a public-private partnership model, and 2.) establishing a convening body and process to enable states to coordinate and harmonize benefits and to establish best practices for paid leave programs thereby supporting workers and businesses.   

The Working Group is seeking feedback. Interested stakeholders may submit written comments to PaidLeave.Feedback@mail.house.gov by Friday, January 10, 2025.   

Paid Family Leave Public-Private Partnerships Act  

The first bill would establish a competitive grant program to be run by the U.S. Department of Labor as an incentive for states to establish their own paid family leave programs that utilize a public-private partnership model.    

For grant eligibility, states would have to meet several criteria including establishing a partnership with a private entity, to assist with program administration and provide this paid leave benefit for, at a minimum, the birth or adoption of a child. The bill also establishes a benefit floor (must provide a wage replacement rate of at least 50%-67%, based on income) and requires state programs to provide a minimum of six weeks of paid family leave in order to receive a grant. States would also need to participate in the I-PLAN, detailed below to be eligible.   

This concept recognizes the importance of state innovation and flexibility. In fact, the majority of states with existing paid leave programs would already meet the requirements of this bill.    

The draft text can be found here.  

The summary can be found here.  

Interstate Paid Leave Action Network Act (I-PLAN Act)  

The second bill, the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network Act (I-PLAN Act) is intended to coordinate and harmonize paid leave benefits across states to make it easier for people to access paid family leave and for states to connect with one another. Currently, there are no federal interstate connections for paid leave, resulting in a patchwork of individual state programs with a variety of standards, requirements, definitions, and processes. Other social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance built the necessary state and federal connections nearly a century ago. The I-PLAN ACT will do the same for paid family leave in a way that works for employees, employers, and states.   

The Department of Labor will be charged with providing funding to an intermediary with the right expertise to facilitate state coordination, meetings, and more. As part of this effort, they will develop an electronic system for state-paid leave programs so they can communicate with each other, exchange data, and enhance program integrity.  

Through support from the intermediary, the states will have two opportunities for funding to support their own state-paid leave programs and in the process develop an “interstate agreement” in pursuit of three goals: 1) policy standards 2) administrative standards, and 3) the creation of a single process to determine primary state programs for those who have lived and worked across different states.   

The draft text can be found here.  

The summary can be found here.   

The following individuals and groups commented:  

Congresswoman Houlahan -

“The American people have waited too long for us to solve a major issue that vexes nearly every family in the nation, and in dropping our discussion bills today, we’re putting Congress on notice that we expect their attention and action. My district is home to people who live here but work in nearby states New Jersey, Delaware and even New York—each of which have state paid family and medical leave programs. And like every one of my colleagues in the House, I represent people who work fully remote for corporations based all over the nation. No matter where you live or work, you should be able to access and fully enjoy paid family leave benefits available to you and do so easily. I am grateful to Rep. Bice’s partnership and the entire Working Group for their unwavering effort to support families and find innovative ways to solve this complex issue.”  

Congresswoman Bice -

“After two years of diligent effort, I am excited to share that the House Working Group has put pen to paper. These two discussion drafts are a significant step forward and will promote both American families, and businesses across the country. I want to thank the Members of the working group and all the stakeholders who have been instrumental throughout this entire process. We’re looking forward to building momentum around expanding access to paid family leave as we enter the next Congress.” 

Congresswoman Miller-Meeks -

“Paid family leave is a bipartisan priority, and we must continue to find flexible solutions without burdensome federal mandates. I am proud to support these two critical pillars to help us create a more efficient, accessible, and responsive paid family leave system that works for all workers.” 

Congressman Allred -

“It is so important that more parents get access to paid family leave so they can spend that special time with their new babies, and our bipartisan working group remains dedicated to finding a solution that will make progress on this important goal. I was proud to be the first member of Congress to take paternity leave after both my sons were born. Public-private partnerships and the coordination of benefits across states is critical to making progress to ensuring every American can take paid family leave regardless of where they work or where they live.” 

Congresswoman Letlow -

"I’m proud to join my colleagues on the Paid Leave Working Group to build off our commitment to streamline the patchwork of state paid leave programs by creating an interstate agreement to improve coordination and make benefits more accessible. Our discussion drafts are a key step forward to modernizing technology, providing states with the resources to create their own paid leave programs, and ensuring that workers have clear, consistent access to paid leave, no matter where they live or work." 

Congresswoman Stevens -

“Whether taking time off to heal after pregnancy with a newborn or to welcome a new child through adoption, paid leave makes it so workers and our economy can thrive. The bipartisan framework announced today by the Paid Leave Working Group represents incredible progress towards accessible, efficient paid leave that will empower American families. I thank my fellow members of the working group, and I look forward to turning these policies into reality.” 

Bipartisan Policy Center Action-

“While the rise in state paid family leave laws has provided access to this critical benefit for millions of workers, the distinct requirements of each program present compliance challenges for multistate employers. BPC Action is proud to support the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (I-PLAN) Act and the Paid Family Leave Public-Private Partnerships Act, which would enhance the operational efficiency of existing paid family leave programs across states, support the establishment of new ones, and promote harmony among them. We applaud the House Bipartisan Paid Family Leave Working Group, chaired by Reps. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), for their leadership on an issue impacting so many Americans,” says Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action.    

Senator Cassidy -

“Americans should never have to choose between caring for their child and returning to work to make a living. I applaud my House colleagues on their new discussion draft. Ideas like this move the conversation forward. Our bipartisan working group will continue to advance additional ideas next Congress.” 

Senator Gillibrand -

“The United States is the world’s only industrialized nation that does not guarantee workers paid leave, even though nearly all workers will need to take time away from work at some point to address a serious illness or to care for a new child. Without universal paid leave, millions of Americans must choose between their livelihood and the health and well-being of themselves and their families. I am encouraged by the work of my House colleagues in advancing solutions and I look forward to working together next Congress on this important issue to promote the financial well-being of working families and the vibrancy of the economy.” 

The House bipartisan Paid Family Leave Working Group was launched in January of 2023 to explore federal paid family leave policies. Supported by the Bipartisan Policy Center and other organizations, the working group’s mission is to bring more paid leave to more Americans through enduring policy solutions. 

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