DC Council Approves Bill for 8 Weeks of Parental Leave

December 21: The D.C. Council approved the paid leave bill last evening, December 20, by a vote of 9-4. The law will apply a 0.62% payroll tax increase to D.C. businesses and the benefits will be administered through a new D.C. government agency. The benefits provide full-time and part-time workers 8 weeks of paid leave to care for newborn or adopted children (both mothers and fathers), six weeks of paid leave to help sick relatives, and two weeks of personal sick leave. The law is not taking effect for some time. The tax starts in 2019, and the benefits roll out in 2020. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has expressed her disdain for the bill, citing concerns of increased red tape, the financial burden on D.C. businesses, and the fact that it will benefit Maryland and Virginia residents working in D.C.