TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A pair of bills filed earlier this week in Florida would require businesses to provide three months of paid time off to new parents.
The bills, Senate Bill 1194 and House Bill 899, would require businesses to allow employees to take paid family leave for up to three months after the birth, fostering, or adoption of a child.
Both women and men would be eligible for paid leave under the Florida Family Leave Act.
"The need for paid family leave has increased as the participation of both parents in the workforce has increased and the number of single parents has grown," the Senate bill reads. "Despite knowing the importance of time spent bonding with a new child, the majority of workers in this state are unable to take family leave because they are unable to afford leave without pay."
To qualify for leave under the bill, an employee must have worked with their company for at least a year and a half, and must work an average of 20 or more hours per week.
The bills, which were filed on Tuesday, will be discussed during next year's Florida Legislative session, which is scheduled to start on Jan. 14, 2020.
If it passes, the new law would go into effect on July 1, 2020.
WPTV and WTXL contributed to this report.