Legislators and Advocates Discuss Assembly Bill 388 and the Importance of Paid Family Leave for Nevada Workers

**LINK TO VIDEO**

CARSON CITY – Today, a coalition of legislators, family advocates, and community organizations gathered in a powerful show of unity to voice their support for Assembly Bill 388 (AB388), groundbreaking legislation sponsored by Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch. The bill aims to expand access to paid family leave for workers across Nevada, marking a significant stride toward supporting the health, economic security, and well-being of Nevada families.

Assembly Member Selena La Rue Hatch, AB388’s sponsor, issued the following statement:

“This is not just a public health issue, it is an economic issue. It will improve our economy as we increase morale, retention, and productivity. It supports working Nevada families, and it is popular. Eighty percent of Americans support a paid leave policy, and the United States is one of only six nations in the world that does not provide this basic need. It is time for Nevada to join the rest of the world. It is time for us to stop forcing workers to choose between their health and their paycheck, and between their rent and their families. That is why I brought this, and that is why I'm urging the legislature to pass AB 388, and for the governor to sign it.”

Assembly Member Venicia Considine issued the following statement:

“No one should have to choose between a paycheck and caring for a newborn, a sick loved one, or their own health. And in Nevada, we believe supporting workers is important, not forcing them to make impossible decisions. Paid leave isn't just the right thing to do morally, it's the smart thing to do economically. It keeps people attached to their jobs, increases retention, boosts productivity and makes our businesses more competitive. States that implemented paid leave have seen these benefits firsthand. This is not a partisan issue. Democrats, Republicans and independents alike agree – families deserve time to care for their loved ones without risking their livelihoods.”

Andrea Martinez, a mother of four, issued the following statement:

“When I was 27, I worked as a security guard until I was 38 weeks pregnant, ultimately giving birth to my daughter via c-section. Unfortunately, I could only take four weeks off – two weeks of paid leave from my two weeks unpaid because my employer did not provide paid family medical leave. This situation created significant hardship for me, as I had to return to work while still healing from a major surgery, and I missed precious time with my newborn daughter … Other states in our country are already doing this, protecting their citizens by allowing them the time they need to care for themselves and their families during life’s challenges.”

Elizabeth Abdur-Raheem, Executive Director of the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, issued the following statement:

“This bill acknowledges a simple truth: healing takes time, and safety, recovery and justice should never come at the cost of a paycheck or a job. Paid leave is not a luxury. It is a lifeline. It gives survivors a chance to catch their breath, to begin the long and challenging process of family, to take care of themselves and their families without the added burden of financial insecurity. When we support paid leave for sexual and domestic assault survivors, we are saying clearly and unequivocally that we believe them, we value them, and we will not let them fall through the cracks. I want to thank the bill's sponsors for their leadership, and I urge lawmakers to stand on the side of compassion and justice. Survivors are strong, but they should not have to do it alone.”

Kathy Harris, Member of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 4041, issued the following statement:

“Our members are the backbone of this state. They're the healthcare workers, custodians and child welfare case workers. They show up every single day, in and out, to serve the public. But they deserve the time to care for themselves and their families without risking their job or financial security. This bill will expand family medical leave to Nevada, and that is a game changer for working families. Twelve weeks of paid leave means being able to hold your newborn without worrying about missing rent. It means being there for a loved one in hospice without draining your savings. It means healing without fear of being replaced.”

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