Updated proposal reflects input from community stakeholders and small business owners

Santa Fe, N.M. – The Welcome Child and Family Wellness Leave Act, an updated parental and medical leave proposal, is headed to the House Floor after passing the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee (HCEDC) today by a vote of 6-5. The HCEDC committee substitute for House Bill 11 preserves the core components of prior proposals while also reflecting community input and significantly reducing contributions required from both employers and employees.

"Too many New Mexicans are faced with impossible choices when they fall ill, need to take care of a loved one, or welcome a child into their home," said sponsor Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos). "This updated bill reflects the input we received from the community and establishes a program that will help folks growing their family or going through a difficult time."

The updated HB 11 would separate medical leave and parental leave, with employers contributing a highly-reduced .15% and employees contributing an also significantly lessened .2% into a Family Wellness Fund for medical leave.

Workers could take up to six weeks of paid time off when they have to care for a loved one in a time of need, deal with a serious health condition themselves, are called to military duty, welcome a foster child, are grieving the loss of a child under 18, or when they or a loved one is a survivor of domestic violence, stalking, or abuse.

Parental leave would be supported separately by a new Welcome Child Fund, providing 12 weeks off for a parent, during which their jobs would be protected. Families would receive $3,000 per month for the first three months following their child's birth or adoption. Support for this fund would come from existing state accounts, rather than business and employee contributions.

"This is a New Mexico-built solution that has been developed and debated for years," said sponsorRepresentative Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe). "This policy works hand-in-hand with our ongoing efforts to build a strong workforce, transform our health outcomes, and recognize the needs of our small businesses and workers."

Paid parental and medical leave programs have been shown to benefit businesses by decreasing sick days and turnover, and improving employee engagement, morale, productivity, and workplace satisfaction.

Small businesses with less than five employees would be exempted from employer contributions, but workers at these companies would still be eligible for Family Wellness Leave, to ensure these small businesses can remain on equal footing in recruiting and retaining employees.

Workers would be eligible to take Family Wellness Leave after paying into the Fund for at least six months. Most workers who participate in the program would receive a percentage of their typical salary during the leave. Those who earn minimum-wage would receive their full wages. Self-employed individuals could also participate in the program.

All New Mexicans who have worked in the state for at least six of the prior 12 months would be eligible for the established payments under Welcome Child Leave.

Additional sponsors of HB 11 include Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque), House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque) and Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque). HB 11 now heads to a vote on the House floor.

Members of the public are welcome to attend floor sessions and committee meetings at the New Mexico Roundhouse, and can tune in virtually through the New Mexico Legislature's Webcasts tab. Public comment can also be provided in-person, and via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.