In New Hampshire, many families face an impossible choice between caring for their newborns and maintaining their financial stability. New Hampshire does not have a state-wide parental leave policy, and only offers a voluntary Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) plan, providing up to 6 weeks of wage replacement at 60% of an employee’s average weekly wage. This program is NOT mandatory, leaving many employees without adequate coverage to care for their families during critical times. In Massachusetts, "most employees are eligible for up to 26 weeks of combined family and medical leave per year," which is a far different policy than its neighboring state of New Hampshire. But, Massachusetts is only 1 of 13 states that has a mandatory state paid parental leave program. 

Although a bill (Senate Bill 1) has been proposed to extend the amount of paid leave employees get, New Hampshire's governor, Chris Sununu, has turned it down. "Gov. Chris Sununu has vetoed bills to create a paid family leave program...The paid family leave bill would give workers up to 12 weeks off to take care of a sick family member or themselves following the birth or adoption of a child."

As of February, "about two-thirds [of New Hampshire workers] lack access to parental leave to care for a new child." For low-income workers, that rate is even higher, leaving countless families in the state without the resources to care for their children during critical developmental periods. A quote from NewAmerica reads, "Low-income workers, who often have the least savings and who are the most likely to need every paycheck they earn to make ends meet, are the least likely to have access to paid leave." I have seen first-hand the toll this takes on parents and their children. Because of this, parents become overwhelmed, progress in their child's development decreases, and low-income families struggle even more than they already did, causing a nonstop domino effect in their economic growth. My cousin and her husband recently had a baby, and due to using their sick and vacation days to stay home longer, were struggling financially due to the lack of paid leave they had. New parents should not need to choose between bonding with their newborn or paying their bills. By ensuring statewide paid parental leave, New Hampshire can ensure that all families—regardless of income—have the opportunity to prioritize their child’s well-being and their family's economic security.

It’s time for New Hampshire to prioritize its families by guaranteeing paid parental leave for all employees. We can’t keep ignoring the needs of parents and children in the state. This is about giving parents the time they need to bond with their children without fear of losing their jobs or struggling to make ends meet. Paid leave isn’t just a policy; it’s a lifeline for families to bond and thrive. Let’s act now to build a stronger future for our families and our state.