The following is a release from King County:

The Metropolitan King County Council today adopted a motion establishing a new county policy that working parents employed by King County will receive up to 12 weeks in paid parental leave after a birth, adoption, or new placement of a foster child.

“It is past time that the United States join the ranks of every single other developed nation in the world, and ensure that new moms and dads have an opportunity to bond with their child without sacrificing the very wages needed to support a family,” said Councilmember Rod Dembowski, author of the legislation. “Paid parental leave is not only the right thing to do for parents and kids, but as the private sector has demonstrated, it’s also fiscally responsible as it aids in recruitment and retention of valuable employees. As one of the top ten employers in the State of Washington, King County has an obligation to lead and be a model employer.”

“It is high time that Martin Luther King, Jr. County passes legislation to address the needs and wants of new parents,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett. “I consider this an important human rights issue that impacts children, parents and society. I am proud to join my other Councilmembers in sponsoring this legislation to provide 12 weeks of parental leave.”

“This is landmark action not only for King County but for those who work here,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague.

“Paid parental and family leave us key to the long-term success and wellness of families,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “It is a goal which should be pursued at the national, state and local levels in the private and public sector; as such, our actions today mark a significant step in promoting the well-being of children and families.”

The adopted motion is the first step towards adding King County and its more than 14,000 employees to the growing list of private sector companies and public sector jurisdictions that have adopted paid parental leave policies. These policies reflect the needs of a modern workforce in which around 64 percent of mothers with young children participate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The motion directs Executive Constantine to develop and transmit a plan for providing  twelve weeks of one-hundred percent paid leave within a twelve-month period to King County employees who take time off work to bond with a new child or children resulting from a birth, adoption or new foster placement. The new leave policy would take effect no later than January 1, 2016 according to the Council motion, and employees would not be required to exhaust their vacation or sick leave benefits before using the new leave.

“Paid family leave gives new families a healthy start, prevents employees from having to choose between earning a paycheck and taking care of an ill loved one, and enhances gender equity in the workplace and the home,” said Council Vice Chair Joe McDermott. “We recognize that employees are more than their jobs, and this policy can support them in the roles they take on as caregivers to people who are important to them.”

“I’m very excited that we’re one step closer to being an ‘employer of the future’,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert. “Our goal is to be an employer that offers many options in a streamlined and user-friendly benefit package.”

The motion also directs the County Executive to develop a workplan for providing paid family leave for eligible County employees to address the serious health condition of the employee or the employee’s parent, spouse, or domestic partner, or child.