Lansing, Mich., Sept. 1, 2020 — State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) introduced House Bill 6160 today to extend parental leave to parents who have newly adopted a child so that they can provide the care and attention their family needs. Pohutsky’s bill would allow eligible employees to take four consecutive weeks of birth or adoption parental leave for parents or adoptive parents of a newborn child or a child newly placed for adoption.
“Every new parent, whether biological or adoptive, deserves to take time off work to care for themselves and the newest member of their family,” said Pohutsky. “As any parent will tell you, those first few weeks are crucial to a child’s long-term health, well-being and ability to form meaningful and loving bonds with those closest to them. Michigan is a state that celebrates all of our families, no matter what they may look like — this is just one way we can follow through on that value and make our state an even better home.”
In addition to providing the ability to take leave, Pohutsky’s bill would also prohibit employers from retaliating against adoptive parents that take leave or diminishing their position, wages or benefits when they return to the workplace. The bill was referred to committee for further consideration.
# # #