House Passes Welcome Child and Family Wellness Leave Act

Uniquely New Mexican family and medical leave plan supports workers and families in times of need, reflects input from communities and local businesses 

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Welcome Child and Family Wellness Leave Act, an updated parental and medical leave proposal, by a vote of 38-31. The amended version of House Bill 11 would provide New Mexicans with job protection and time off when they need it most, while significantly reducing contributions required from both employers and employees.

“The success of New Mexico’s economy and local businesses depends on our workers. Right now, when New Mexicans fall ill, need to take care of a loved one, or welcome a child into their home, they may risk losing their jobs. That’s not good for families or for business,” said sponsor Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos). “We have incorporated the input we received from the community to develop a leave plan that works for workers, families, and businesses.”

The amended HB 11 would provide Family Wellness Leave for workers to take up to six weeks of paid time off when they have to care for a loved one, deal with a serious health condition, are called to military duty, welcome a foster child, are grieving the loss of a child under 18, or when they or a loved one is a survivor of domestic violence, stalking, or abuse. 

The Family Wellness Fund would be funded by small contributions from both employers and employees. Employers would contribute 0.15% of their payroll and employees would contribute 0.2% of their income. A New Mexican making $60,000 per year would contribute $10 a month. A business with a payroll of $500,000 would contribute $62.50 a month. 

Small businesses with less than five employees would be exempted from making employer contributions, but their workers would still be eligible for Family Wellness Leave, so small businesses can remain on equal footing in recruiting and retaining employees. 

New parents would be eligible for 12 weeks of parental leave during which their jobs would be protected. Families would receive $3,000 per month for the first three months following their child’s birth or adoption, supported separately by a new Welcome Child Fund. Funding for the Welcome Child Fund would come from existing state accounts, rather than business and employee contributions. 

“For years, our communities have cried out for solutions to grow our workforce and give working families financial support when they need it most,” said sponsor Representative Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe). “The Welcome Child and Family Wellness Leave Act, like our tax cuts for working families, our constitutional right to early childhood education, and no-cost higher education, invests in our families and supports our economy.”

Paid parental and medical leave programs have been shown to benefit businesses by decreasing sick days and turnover, and improving employee engagement, morale, productivity, and workplace satisfaction. 

“In New Mexico, we take care of each other. This bill reflects our values by allowing workers to take care of their families and employers to take care of their employees,” said Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque). “Workers deserve a workplace that is healthy, happy, and secure, and we know New Mexico businesses want to provide that.”

Workers would be eligible to take Family Wellness Leave after paying into the Fund for at least six months. Most workers who participate in the program would receive a percentage of their typical salary during the leave. Those who earn minimum-wage would receive their full wages. Self-employed individuals could also participate in the program.

All New Mexicans who have worked in the state for at least six of the prior 12 months would be eligible for the established payments under Welcome Child Leave. 

Additional sponsors of HB 11 include House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque) and Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque). HB 11 now heads to the Senate.

Members of the public are welcome to attend floor sessions and committee meetings at the New Mexico Roundhouse, and can tune in virtually through the New Mexico Legislature’s Webcasts tab. Public comment can also be provided in-person, and via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.

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