NC Lawmakers Host Press Conference to Introduce NC Paid Family and Paid Sick Leave Bills

NC legislative sponsors will be joined by community members and advocates to introduce the North Carolina Paid Family Leave Insurance Act and Healthy Families Healthy Workplaces/Paid Sick Days Act

RALEIGH (April 19, 2021) — This Tuesday, state lawmakers, community members, and advocates will host a virtual press conference to introduce two family-friendly workplace policy bills, the North Carolina Paid Family Leave Insurance Act and the North Carolina Healthy Families Healthy Workplaces/Paid Sick Days Act.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the long-existing need for workplace policies that allow employees to meet their health and caregiving needs. Together, paid family/medical and paid sick leave would enable millions of North Carolinians to take necessary time for emergencies, major life milestones, and minor illnesses without fear of losing their jobs and financial stability.

Legislative sponsors, Rep. Graig Meyer (D-50) and Senator Sydney Batch (D-17) will formally introduce the North Carolina Paid Family Leave Insurance Act, followed by Rep. Susan Fisher (D-114) and Senator Gladys Robinson (D-28), introducing the Healthy Families Healthy Workplaces/Paid Sick Days Act. Remarks will also feature North Carolinians sharing their personal stories about how paid leave and sick days would impact their lives. Speakers will highlight how these bills will level the playing field for small businesses, keep workers in the labor force, and help both our families and economy thrive.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 10 am ET

 WHO: State lawmakers, community members, and advocates. Featured remarks include:

  • Rep. Graig Meyer and Sen. Sydney Batch
  • Rep. Susan Fisher and Sen. Gladys Robinson
  • Willetha Barnette, Co-founder of the Institute for Family Caregiving
  • Joy Spencer, Executive Director of Equity Before Birth
  • Dr. Kimberly Montez, Pediatrician
  • Caylea Jenkins, Service industry worker for 11 years, Co-founder of the Asheville chapter of the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC United)
  • Ben Knight, Co-owner of the Chef and the Farmer and Benny’s Big Time

WHAT: Press conference marking the introduction of the North Carolina Paid Family Leave Insurance Act and the North Carolina Healthy Families Healthy Workplaces Act

WHERE: Zoom. Please register in advance to join us via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvfuyuqz0vG9KT5JVUui_hpTClp22Ch214

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NC Families Care is a coalition of more than two dozen diverse organizations advocating for family-friendly workplace policies for working North Carolinians and their families, including paid sick and safe days, paid family medical and parental leave, and pregnancy accommodations. For more information, visit: www.ncfamiliescare.org