As a parent in Arkansas, I know what it means to bring a new baby home, care for an aging parent, or be there when a family member is seriously ill.

But right now, most workers in our state are forced to choose between a paycheck and the people they love—because Arkansas has no statewide paid family leave program.

And voluntary policies aren’t enough. Only a small fraction of employers offer paid family leave. That means too many new moms, dads, and caregivers get nothing at all.

We’re calling on Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Legislature to pass a mandatory statewide paid family and medical leave law that:

• Guarantees at least 12 weeks of job-protected, paid leave for all workers
• Covers all kinds of families—birth, adoption, caregiving, and serious illness
• Ensures leave access for low-income, part-time, and hourly workers who need it most
• Is funded through a shared payroll contribution model proven to work in other states
   

Arkansas is one of just a handful of states without any guaranteed paid leave. That puts families—and especially women—at a disadvantage when they need support the most.

We can’t wait for the perfect moment. Families need this now.