GOP state senators introduce family leave bill

Anyone who has had to take time away from work to care for a sick loved one or to deal with their own illness understands the stress of trying to figure out the financial side of that decision.

Only 21 percent of U.S. workers have access to paid family leave through their employer, so some states — including Minnesota — are looking at creating state-funded paid leave programs. State Sen. Susan Kent, D-Woodbury, has backed paid leave legislation for the past six years and is carrying a state Senate bill to create a program. The issue hadn’t landed with Republicans — until Monday.

State Sen. Julia Coleman, R-Waconia, and state Rep. Jordan Rasmussen, R-Fergus Falls, introduced a bill that offers a private insurance option for paid family leave.

Host Cathy Wurzer spoke with MPR News politics reporter Brian Bakst about how viable the bill is and what it would take to get it to pass.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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