Proposition 118 - Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program

Summary

Proposition 118 is a proposed change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the creation of a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado. The proposed program would authorize paid family and medical leave for a covered employee who has a serious health condition, is caring for a new child or for a family member with a serious health condition, or has a need for leave related to a family member's military deployment or for safe leave. Under the proposed program, family and medical leave would be 12 weeks with an additional 4 weeks for pregnancy or childbirth complications. Further, the proposed program would require job protection for and prohibit retaliation against an employee who takes paid family and medical leave. Finally, employers who already offer an approved private paid family and medical leave plan would be exempt from the program.

A "YES" vote on Proposition 118 is a vote in support of creating a statewide Family and Medical Leave Insurance Enterprise with 50% of the funding coming from a tax on employee wages and the remaining 50% coming from the employer.

A "NO" vote on Proposition 118 is a vote opposing the creation of a statewide Family and Medical Leave Insurance Enterprise.

Arguments

Paid leave has a positive impact on the health of Colorado families, especially new parents and those with health issues. Research has shown that offering paid leave to expectant and new mothers decreases the risk of infant mortality, and allowing parents time to bond with their children will positively affect child development. Most individuals will need to take leave to care for themselves or a loved one at some point during their careers, and this measure allows employees to do so with some financial support and job protection. The measure ensures that Coloradans will not be forced to choose between their health and their livelihood., in support of Proposition 118 (Learn more)

Paid leave will increase employment opportunities for Coloradans, and benefit the state’s economy. Only 18 percent of U.S. workers currently have access to paid leave. Employees without paid leave risk being demoted or even losing their jobs if they have to take off work due to serious illnesses or to care for family members. This measure allows caretakers and those with chronic health issues to join and remain in the workforce, which will strengthen Colorado’s economy. All workers deserve paid leave benefits, no matter their income level, the type of work they do, or the size of their employer., in support of Proposition 118 (Learn more)

This measure places a financial and regulatory burden on employers to navigate the program’s complex requirements. Businesses face increased costs to accommodate paid leave and new state-mandated sick leave obligations. The measure unfairly requires large businesses, but not certain small businesses or local governments, to pay premiums to fund the program. In addition, small businesses may be discouraged from growing in order to avoid premium costs. In the end, it will be up to employers and employees to bear the cost of an uncertain and expensive new government program., in opposition to Proposition 118 (Learn more)

This measure requires employees to pay into a program that they may never benefit from using. Employees are already faced with job uncertainty in the current economy, and cannot afford to lose part of their salary or other benefits. If the demand for the benefit is higher than anticipated, employees will be expected to contribute an even larger percentage of wages in the future or sacrifice other workplace gains., in opposition to Proposition 118 (Learn more)

Measure Details