PITTSBURGH \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
The policy applies to employers with 15 or more employees and covers the birth or adoption of a child, as well as a stillbirth.<\/p>\n
Allegheny County would be the first county in the country to independently adopt a paid parental leave mandate. <\/p>\n
More than 60 people spoke during a nearly three-hour public hearing.<\/p>\n
Some business owners warned the requirement could increase costs and create staffing challenges.<\/p>\n
Healthcare workers and family advocates urged council to pass it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m disappointed,\u201d said John Graff, a business owner who opposed the policy. He called it a \u201cone-size-fits-all solution\u201d and said it could have \u201ca lot of negative effects. <\/p>\n
Lucy Ruccio, a nurse practitioner at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, supported the measure.<\/p>\n
Magee nurses were among those who advocated for it. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m ecstatic. I am so thrilled,\u201d Ruccio said. \u201cWe worked for a really long time with Magee nurses at the forefront of this effort.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ruccio said paid leave could improve the physical and mental well-being of families and infants.<\/p>\n
The policy was revised before council\u2019s vote.<\/p>\n
Employers with fewer than 15 employees are exempt.<\/p>\n
Full-time workers must be employed for six months to qualify; part-time workers must work at least 625 hours.<\/p>\n
The measure now goes to County Executive Sara Innamorato for her signature.<\/p>\n
Employers will have up to one year after it is signed to implement the policy.<\/p>\n
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