Allegheny County Council voted 11-4 Tuesday night to pass a paid parental leave mandate.
The decision came after hours of public comment. Employers will be on the hook for covering costs during that time off.
This man said forcing businesses to bear 100 percent of the cost for 12 weeks of paid parental leave will have unintended consequences, saying it will either cause the business to go out of business, not worth to be in business or the business will leave the county.
Others supported the decision including one woman that said she was “ecstatic” about the measure.
Council member Susan Filiaggi voted no but said she supports paid leave, calling for a universal, publicly funded program.
In an interview after the vote, with KDKA's Rob Pratte, Council member Bethany Hallam responded to the possibility businesses will leave the county.
“Leaving Allegheny County is something we hear about every single policy that we have ever passed here in Allegheny County on Allegheny County Council, we heard it about paid sick leave, we’re hearing it about reassessments, we’ve heard it about fining the polluters for destroying our air quality here and yet they’re still here and we’re glad they’re here,” said Councilwoman Hallam.
County Executive Sara Innamorato has announced she will sign the bill into law on Thursday afternoon.
Businesses with 15 or more employees will be required to give them 12 weeks of paid parental leave for a birth, adoption or foster child.
The mandate takes effect six months after it's signed into law.
Employers will need to cover 12 weeks of pay for new parents
Employers will need to cover 12 weeks of pay for new parents
