require a minimum of six month paid maternal leave for new mothers.

 

The purpose of this bill is to require a six month paid maternal leave for new mothers. This would insure that new

mothers still have a steady flow of income and have a job to return to when they are ready. This bill would also improve

the mental health of mothers during a major life change that causes a lot of stress.

 

According to the Cleveland Clinic; up to 15% of new mothers experience postpartum depression. A major drop in estrogen

and progesterone, lack of sleep, and stress from major life changes, are all causing factors of postpartum depression.

Finances can be a major stressor for new mothers, so keeping a steady flow of income would reduce stress, therefore

decreasing the chances of postpartum depression. Mothers who receive paid time off have a 51% decreased risk of

rehospitalization after child birth. An example of a country that that offers paid maternal leave is Norway who changed

their 12 week unpaid leave policy, to a 16 week paid policy after it was found to have a positive impact on on the

mothers blood pressure, pain levels, and exercising and smoking behaviors. It is also extremely important for new babies

to have early attachment with their parents. A Princeton University study found that 40% of children lack a strong

emotional bond with their parents which is directly related to the bond created when the child was an infant. It also

showed that infants who have a strong emotional connection with their parents are 2.5 times less likely to display

behavior problems at school.

 

(1.)"Postpartum depression" - Depression suffered by a mother following childbirth, typically arising from hormonal

changes, phycological adjustment to motherhood, and fatigue

(2.)"Maternal leave" - The period of absence from work granted to a mother before and after the birth of her child

(3.)"Estrogen" - A group of hormones, primary associated with the female reproductive system, that plays a key role in

the development of secondary sex characteristics, menstruation, and pregnancy

 

Companies with 1-50 employees will receive a tax deduction that is equivalent to 100% of the cost of the paid leave.

Companies with 51-100 employees will receive a tax deduction that is equivalent to 50% of the cost of the paid leave.

Companies with 101+ employees will receive a tax deduction that is equivalent to 0% of the cost of the paid leave.

 

If it is found that a company fails to comply with the terms of this bill they will be fined the cost equivalent to the

cost of the paid leave and must pay the employee 1.5 times the cost of the original paid leave.

 

This bill is to be put into effect three months after the passing date.