PITTSBURGH — Allegheny County Council voted 11-4 Tuesday to approve a policy requiring many employers to provide eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
The policy applies to employers with 15 or more employees and covers the birth or adoption of a child, as well as a stillbirth.
Allegheny County would be the first county in the country to independently adopt a paid parental leave mandate.
More than 60 people spoke during a nearly three-hour public hearing.
Some business owners warned the requirement could increase costs and create staffing challenges.
Healthcare workers and family advocates urged council to pass it.
“I’m disappointed,” said John Graff, a business owner who opposed the policy. He called it a “one-size-fits-all solution” and said it could have “a lot of negative effects.
Lucy Ruccio, a nurse practitioner at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, supported the measure.
Magee nurses were among those who advocated for it.
“I’m ecstatic. I am so thrilled,” Ruccio said. “We worked for a really long time with Magee nurses at the forefront of this effort.”
Ruccio said paid leave could improve the physical and mental well-being of families and infants.
The policy was revised before council’s vote.
Employers with fewer than 15 employees are exempt.
Full-time workers must be employed for six months to qualify; part-time workers must work at least 625 hours.
The measure now goes to County Executive Sara Innamorato for her signature.
Employers will have up to one year after it is signed to implement the policy.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS
©2026 Cox Media Group