Killion, Dinniman introduce bill to extend family medical leave provisions

Sens. Tom Killion (R-Chester/Delaware Counties) and Andy Dinniman (D-Chester County) have introduced a bill to expand family medical leave rights to siblings, grandparents and grandchildren.

Under the bill, Senate Bill 140, up to six weeks of protected, unpaid leave would be provided to an employee to care for a terminally ill sibling, grandparent or grandchild. This would only apply if the ill relative does not have a living spouse, child over the age of 17, or parent under the age of 65 to care for them.

“Terminally ill individuals need all of the family support they can get,” Sen. Killion said. “We must ensure that siblings, grandparents and grandchildren can take time to care for loved ones if no one else is able to do so. This kind of family care is the hallmark of any compassionate society and is long overdue in our state.”
The legislation has roots in Chester County, stemming from the experiences of West Goshen resident Anne Marie Pearson. She was denied family medical leave to care for her sister, who was diagnosed with late stage gynecologic cancer in 2009. Pearson left her job of 17 years to care for her sister.

“I often thought who would have taken care of Joanne if I didn’t sacrifice my job and my livelihood?” Pearson said. “No one should have to ever choose between keeping their job or taking care of a sick family member.”