Bill > S1304

This bill establishes an Infant-Friendly Workplace Program to support working parents by allowing guardians to bring infants aged six weeks to six months to their workplace. The program is voluntary for employers but encourages them to create supportive environments for new parents returning to work after utilizing Paid Family and Medical Leave. Participating employers must submit a grant application, designate infant-friendly spaces, provide training and resources, establish reasonable workplace participation limits, ensure child safety, and offer flexible work schedules. Employers can use program funding to create private nursing areas, hire assistance for child care, and receive potential tax incentives and grants from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The program aims to promote parent-infant bonding, improve mental health, and enhance workforce retention. Participating employers must report annually to the Department of Family and Medical Leave on program metrics like employee participation, retention rates, and productivity. Employers may also collect up to a 10% wage deduction to support the program's establishment and maintenance. The program will take effect 180 days after passage, allowing time for regulatory development, and the Department of Family and Medical Leave will oversee fund allocation, prioritizing workplaces with high need or limited childcare access.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1304