ACLU of North Dakota Supports Paid Family Leave Bill

February 3, 2021 10:00 am

ACLU Affiliate
ACLU of North Dakota
Media Contact
125 Broad Street
18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
United States

The ACLU of North Dakota supports House Bill 1441, legislation that would create a paid family leave program in the state. This legislation is critical to achieving economic equality and security for hardworking North Dakotans who too often have to choose between the job they need and the family they love.

While many people who take family or medical leave to care for a newborn or family members with serious illnesses or injuries, the accessibility of paid leave is unequal. The vast majority of low-wage workers do not have paid leave through their jobs while high-income individuals often do. This disparity can exacerbate systemic issues, from racism to sexism to the marginalization of formerly incarcerated people. Passing House Bill 1441 would be a momentous civil rights victory for North Dakota.

“The United States enjoys the shameful distinction of being the only country in the developed world that doesn’t guarantee paid family leave to workers,” said Libby Skarin, ACLU of North Dakota campaigns director. “Paid family leave is essential to the health and well-being of North Dakota’s workforce — especially those who live paycheck to paycheck and lack job security. Simply put, North Dakotans and their families need House Bill 1441 to ensure that they can work and care for those they love.”

House Bill 1441 is scheduled to be heard in the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee today. The ACLU of North Dakota provided written testimony, available here: https://www.aclund.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/02.02.2021.ac…

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