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Bill

SB 342

An Act providing for family and medical leave for eligible employees.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Camera Bartolotta and 16 co-sponsors

SB 342 creates paid family and medical leave protections for Pennsylvania employees, providing income-supported time off for childbirth, health conditions, and caregiving.

Referred to Labor & Industry
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 342

Legislative bill overview

SB 342 would establish a family and medical leave program for eligible Pennsylvania employees, allowing them to take paid or job-protected leave for qualifying events such as childbirth, serious health conditions, or family caregiving. The bill creates a new leave entitlement framework with specific eligibility requirements and duration parameters.

Why is this important

Currently, Pennsylvania has no statewide paid family leave program, leaving many workers without income protection during major life events. This bill would address a significant gap in worker protections that affects workforce participation, particularly for women and caregivers, while potentially reducing reliance on public assistance programs.

Potential points of contention

  • Employer costs and funding mechanism: Whether premiums are employee-funded, employer-funded, or shared will significantly impact business compliance costs and worker take-home pay
  • Eligibility thresholds: Definitions of "eligible employees" (company size, tenure, wage requirements) determine how many workers actually benefit versus are excluded
  • Job protection guarantees: The extent of reinstatement rights and anti-retaliation protections during and after leave periods could create litigation exposure or administrative burdens
  • Integration with federal law: How the program coordinates with FMLA, disability insurance, and unemployment benefits requires careful specification to avoid conflicts or gaps
  • Duration and benefit limits: Whether 12 weeks, 16 weeks, or other timeframes are adequate and fiscally sustainable remains contested among labor and business interests

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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