AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to move forward a measure from Rep. Kelly Noonan Murphy, D-Scarborough, to protect Maine workers who are caring for a sick grandparent or great-grandparent.
As amended, LD 999 would expand the Maine Family Medical Leave Act, which protects Maine workers who need to take time off to care for an eligible family member with a serious health condition. In 2021, lawmakers added grandchildren to the list of eligible family members, but grandparents and great-grandparents were not included. This legislation would add them to the list of eligible family members.
"Maine workers who need to care for an aging loved one with a serious illness or injury shouldn't be at risk of losing their jobs," said Murphy. "Current state law does not include sufficient protections for those who need to balance their work responsibilities while serving as a caregiver for a grandparent or great-grandparent. This vote is an important step to closing this loophole and ensuring that these working families have the protections they deserve."
At its public hearing in April, the bill was supported by numerous advocacy organizations, including the Maine Education Association and AARP Maine.
The bill will move to the full Legislature for consideration in the coming weeks.
Murphy, a member of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents part of Scarborough.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Murphy], c. 305-965-2744