AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature voted unanimously this week to enact a measure from Rep. Kelly Noonan Murphy, D-Scarborough, to protect Maine workers who need to care 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 should not have to risk their jobs and their livelihoods to care for a loved one that is experiencing a serious illness or injury," said Murphy. "Unfortunately, current law does not include adequate protections for workers needing to care for a grandparent or great-grandparent. This week's votes move our state closer to closing these gaps and ensuring that hardworking Mainers have all 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 faces further votes in the Senate.
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