House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee , CD3 DFL

House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee advances paid family and medical leave

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee advanced legislation that expands access to paid family and medical leave. The bill, authored by Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL – Mendota Heights), gives Minnesota workers time to bond with a new baby, care for a family member, or recover from illness.

“The first weeks after birth are a critical time in the life of a child and a family,” said Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL – St. Paul), the chair of the committee. “Paid family and medical leave gives workers time to be with their loved ones during the most joyful and challenging moments of their lives. House DFLers are committed to providing greater economic security for working families and ensuring that our youngest Minnesotans get the great start in life that they deserve.”

The legislation provides workers with up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave per year. Minnesotans could apply for leave to bond with a new child, take care of a family member, or get medical attention for themselves. While on leave, workers would receive a percentage of their regular wages.

Legislation establishing a new Department of Early Childhood advances

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Thursday, the House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee advanced legislation to establish a Department of Early Childhood. Under the bill, authored by Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL – St. Paul), early childhood programs that are currently administered by multiple state agencies would be transferred to a single, dedicated, cabinet-level agency.

“The earliest years of a child’s life set the foundation for everything that follows,” said Rep. Pinto, the chair of the committee. “But Minnesota’s programs focused on young children and their families are located deep within multiple separate agencies. This fragmented approach hinders coordination, accountability, and – most importantly – support for families.”

The bill creates a new state agency called the Department of Early Childhood to administer all of the state’s early childhood programs, including home visiting, child care and early learning, and many more. These programs are currently housed in the Departments of Education, Health, and Human Services.

Minnesota’s early childhood policies receive national comparison; paid leave and child-care support urged

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On January 26, the House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee received a report from national researchers comparing Minnesota’s early childhood policies against those of other states and urging action on paid family leave and child-care support.

“Every child deserves a great start in life,” said Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL – St. Paul), chair of the committee. “Knowing where our state is falling short is critical to meeting that obligation. And now that we do know, it’s time to act boldly to close gaps and build a brighter future for all of us.”

The report was presented by Dr. Cynthia Osborne, the Director of the Prenatal to Three Policy Impact Center at the University of Texas at Austin. She noted that Minnesota is doing well compared to other states in some respects, having adopted a number of the policies that evidence has shown to improve outcomes for children and their families.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: