AUGUSTA - Rep. Kelly Noonan Murphy, D-Scarborough, presented a measure on Tuesday to protect Maine workers who are caring for a sick grandparent or great-grandparent.
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 are not included under current law. This legislation would add them to the list of eligible family members.
"Taking care of a loved one with a serious illness or injury shouldn't mean jeopardizing your job," said Murphy. "But right now, state law does not protect Mainers who are caring for a grandparent or great-grandparent with serious health conditions. This legislation will close this gap and ensure our laws reflect the challenges Maine caretakers and their families are facing today."
Additionally, the bill clarifies that eligible family members can be related by blood, adoption, legal custody, marriage or domestic partnership.
The bill is supported by numerous organizations, including the Maine Educational Association and AARP Maine.
"There are more family situations that are not traditional but no less deserving of the rights to care for someone they care about," said Rachelle Bristol, speaking on behalf of the Maine Educational Association. "It would only make sense to extend the basic FMLA provisions to more familial relationships, including the real-life relationships and bonds we create."
"Caregiving for a loved one is truly a privilege, though it can be difficult," said Bridget Quinn, speaking on behalf of AARP Maine. "It is important that Mainers can use family and medical leave to provide care for grandparents, great-grandparents and other loved ones as defined in LD 999."
The Labor and Housing Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks, at which time committee members will have the opportunity to debate and offer amendments before voting on a recommendation to the full Legislature.
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