House OKs bill granting paid leave for parents

OLYMPIA -- The Democratic-controlled state House on Friday passed a controversial bill to give parents paid family leave to bond with newborn or newly adopted children.

The legislation, which is bitterly opposed by business lobbyists, calls for a new state-run insurance program that, beginning in 2009, would offer parents up to five weeks of paid leave, at $250 per week. It also would allow paid leave to bond with a new foster child.

The measure, Senate Bill 5659, passed the House 62-35, largely along party lines.

Republicans said the bill is a step toward socialism and warned it would wreak havoc with the state's business climate.

"Once again, we've got government coming in and saying, 'You guys are doing a rotten job, and we're going to mandate how the heck you're supposed to treat your employees,' " said Rep. Maureen Walsh, R-College Place. "Let's let families step up and do right by themselves."

But Democrats argued that numerous other countries with vibrant economies mandate paid family leave.

"What's good for families is good for business," said Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, who has been pushing since 2001 for a paid-family-leave law.

The bill that passed the House differs sharply from a version approved last month by the Senate. The two sides will have to negotiate a compromise before the Legislature adjourns April 22.

When it cleared the Senate, the bill allowed workers to take paid leave to care for an ailing relative.

Senate leaders say they will agree to the scaled-down benefits approved by the House. But the two sides still must resolve disagreements on how to pay for the program.

The House bill calls for creating a task force to design the new program and recommend how to fund it.

But Senate leaders do not want to put off the funding decision. Instead, they are proposing a payroll tax on all workers of slightly less than 1 cent per hour.

Ralph Thomas: 360-943-9882 or rthomas@seattletimes.com