Paid Family Leave Gains State Momentum as Approaches Differ (1)

State legislators across party lines have increasingly sought to promote paid family and medical leave bills, even as differences of opinion remain substantial about whether to pursue mandatory, voluntary, or state-employee-focused policies.

Minnesota this year became the 12th state to enact a comprehensive, mandatory paid family and medical leave program, with payroll contributions and benefits both scheduled to start Jan. 1, 2026. Close behind is Maine, where Gov. Janet Mills (D) has publicly endorsed but hasn’t yet signed a paid leave proposal the legislature passed July 6 as part of a budget bill.

Efforts to increase access to paid ...