DENVER (KDVR) — A bill that would extend paid leave for parents with newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) has passed a key hurdle in Colorado’s state legislature.
On Wednesday, the state senate approved SB25-144, which aims to increase the state’s paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program by up to 12 weeks for parents whose newborns are receiving care in the NICU. Senator Jeff Bridges, a Democrat from Arapahoe County and co-sponsor of the bill, shared his personal connection to the issue, highlighting the importance of supporting parents in these situations.
“I know firsthand how terrifying and consuming it can be for a parent of a newborn in intensive care,” said Bridges. “It is so important for a child’s development to be with their parents in those first few months of life. We need to make it easier for parents with kids in the NICU to have access to that quality time, which is why we’re expanding FAMLI in a way that doesn’t raise premiums for employees or employers.”
The bill also proposes keeping the current rate of 0.9% of wages per employee in the FAMLI program through the end of the year.
SB25-144 passed the senate with a 22-12 vote, along party lines, with all Republicans voting against it. The bill now moves to the state house for further consideration.
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