The United States has no mandatory paid family leave policy, making it the only country in the first-world to not mandate paid maternity leave for new mothers.

I am petitioning for the federal government to work together to enact a law that require states to setup a fund with the assistance of a federal grant to pay at least fifty percent of their  average monthly income to the woman on maternity leave during the duration of her maternity leave not to exceed 12 weeks, standard FMLA leave length. In return, upon her return from work, if needed, she will be required to repay a portion of the subsidy in the form of a small additional state tax spread out over 5 years. This is a fair plan to help our working mothers who are often forced to return to work in order to provide for their family.

I believe it is unrealistic to expect women to take the standard FMLA unpaid leave. Many families are not afforded luxury of relying on any other person(s) to financially support them during their family during maternity leave.

I believe we, as our great nation, we should take the steps now to follow the lead of so many other countries. Currently, Russia pays out 100% of wages for 20 weeks, Australia pays out 100% of wages for 18 weeks and France pays out 100% of wages for 16 weeks. We can do better and we should do better.

Thank you and I hope you will sign this petition.