Building on Progress: Why Georgia Must Expand Paid Leave
By Daniel Campos, Community Organizer, Poder Latinx Georgia
This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a law that promised workers job protection during some of life’s most critical moments. But for millions of families, including my own, that promise remains incomplete.
In 2019, my wife and I were expecting our son, Isaac, with so much hope. Twenty days after he was born, Isaac passed away. In the midst of unimaginable grief, we drained our savings and were forced back to work before we were physically, mentally, or emotionally ready. My wife suffered multiple setbacks during her recovery. At the time, I was working full time, holding a part-time job, and attending college full time. My wife was also working full time while in college. Despite doing everything “right,” we both lost our jobs when we needed it the most. This is the reality for too many families in Georgia and around the country.
FMLA provides only unpaid leave, and strict eligibility rules mean many workers can’t even access it. Nationally, about 40 percent of workers are not eligible for FMLA, and many more cannot afford to take unpaid time off even if they qualify. In Georgia, the lack of paid leave disproportionately affects low-wage workers, parents, and communities of color.
In 2024, Georgia made progress with the passage of House Bill 1010, expanding paid parental leave for state employees from three weeks to six weeks. This was a meaningful step, showing that lawmakers recognize the importance of supporting families during childbirth and recovery. But it is not enough.
An estimated 78 percent of Georgia workers still lack access to paid family leave, leaving millions with no real option when a child is born, a medical crisis strikes, or a loved one needs care. Paid leave is not a luxury; it's a public health and economic necessity. States with paid leave programs see higher workforce retention, improved maternal health outcomes, and stronger family stability.
As we reflect on 33 years of FMLA, Georgia legislators must build on HB1010 by expanding paid parental leave to at least 12 weeks and advancing a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program for all workers. No parent should have to return to work while grieving a child. No family should risk financial collapse just to heal.
That is why today, on the anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Poder Latinx is joining allies at the Georgia State Capitol to call on lawmakers to finish the work FMLA started and ensure every Georgia worker can care for themselves and their families with dignity. Because everyone deserves access to strong, comprehensive paid leave, we invite you to join us as we demand policies that put working families first.
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