Public hearing on 18-week paid parental leave proposal

Allegheny County will hold a public comment Tuesday on its proposed 18-week paid parental leave law.

It's an opportunity for both businesses and the public to weigh in on the proposal.

Abigail Gardner, Communications Director for the Allegheny County Executive's office says the legislation would require all employers to offer paid parental leave regardless of company size.

“We are one of the only countries in the entire world that doesn’t have guaranteed paid maternity leave,” said Gardner. “There are already 14 other states in America who already have mandated paid parental leave, as a statewide policy so, Allegheny County is just trying to catch up with what many, many other places have already established as best practice.”

The public comment will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the fourth-floor Gold Room at the County Courthouse. People who are planning to give testimony must register ahead of time.