Introduction to the Research Articles

摘要

The United States is the only advanced industrialized country without a national law providing new mothers (and often fathers) with entitlements to paid family leave (PFL). However, two states have implemented paid leave insurance programs, the first of these being California, where PFL took effect in July 2004. California PFL offers six weeks of partially paid leave income to bond with a newborn or a recently placed foster or adoptive child, or for other reasons (such as to care for seriously ill relatives). Unlike the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, almost all private sector workers are eligible and wage replacement is 55 percent up to a ceiling based on the state's average weekly wage.