Fort Washington, Pa. − September 19, 2025 − On Wednesday, September 17, Senator Maria Collett (D-Montgomery, Caucus Chair), hosted a roundtable event at the Upper Dublin Public Library to explore what a statewide paid leave program would look like for workers, businesses and families in Pennsylvania.
“I want to live in a Pennsylvania where people can raise families, care for aging parents, and have thriving careers at the same time – without burdening our small businesses,” Collett said. “That’s where the Family Care Act comes in.”
Introduced by Senator Collett and Senator Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny), the bipartisan Family Care Act (Senate Bill 906) would establish a statewide paid family and medical leave program, funded by small paycheck contributions and fully administered by the Department of Labor & Industry.
Polling shows that paid leave policies have strong bipartisan support, and the benefits go beyond traditional parental leave.
“AARP research shows that caregivers overwhelmingly support tax credits, paid leave, and programs that pay family caregivers. Attention must be paid to providing immediate, sustained action in policy and practice, from expanding paid leave to ensuring programs and services reach the caregivers who need them most,” said AARP Pennsylvania Volunteer State President Nora Dowd Eisenhower. “Enacting paid family leave in Pennsylvania will allow workers to take the time needed to care for aging parents, children, or spouses without risking their job or financial stability.”
Montgomery County, PA’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Stephanie Tipton, added: “Montgomery County’s leadership on paid parental leave is a powerful example of how local government can support working families in meaningful ways. I’m proud to be part of a team that values equity, care and creating a workplace where people feel supported. With leaders like the County Commissioners and Senator Collett, whose advocacy has helped pave the way for policies like the Family Leave Act, we’re making a real difference in people’s lives.”
Vice President of Programs at Maternity Care Coalition, Samia Bristow, explained that the organization’s Paid Family Leave Report found “23% of employed mothers return back to work within ten days. So, when we think about how paid leave can promote health equity, we think about the recovery time. And the factor of why they are returning back to work is financial.”
Blake Emmanuel, Director of Advocacy and Policy at The Fund for Women and Girls, reiterated that, “Paid family leave is not only a women’s issue, but an issue for everyone in the Commonwealth. I encourage all of our state legislators to vote in support of the Family Care Act. I appreciate Senator Collett providing the opportunity for a meaningful exchange of information about paid leave and the possibilities here in Pennsylvania.”
Roundtable participants included:
- Senator Maria Collett, 12th District (Moderator)
- Nora Dowd Eisenhower, Volunteer State President, AARP Pennsylvania
- Stephanie Tipton, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Montgomery County, PA
- Samia Bristow, Vice President of Programs, Maternity Care Coalition
- Blake Emmanuel, Director of Advocacy and Policy, The Fund for Women and Girls
Photos from the roundtable event can be found here, and a full recording is available on Senator Collett’s website.
Senators Collett and Robinson reintroduced The Family Care Act on June 30, 2025. The bill is currently awaiting a vote in the Labor and Industry Committee. Co-sponsors include Senators Tartaglione, Hughes, Santarsiero, Schwank, Kearney, Costa, Comitta, Haywood, Fontana, Cappelletti, L. Williams, Bartolotta, Saval, Picozzi, Farry, Laughlin, Kane and Vogel.
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