Bill · S. 5017· Senate(119-S-5017)
More Paid Leave for More Americans Act
- Introduced
- 7/16/2026
- Last activity
- 7/16/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- John Boozman
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill directs the Secretary of Labor to create a competitive grant program that awards funds to States for establishing and running paid leave programs. It also sets up the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network, known as I-PLAN, to help states coordinate their paid leave policies and streamline benefit delivery. States can use these grants for program start-up costs, paying out benefits, purchasing software, and conducting public outreach. Additionally, the bill provides grants to a national intermediary organization to support I-PLAN and supply standardized technology systems for wage data. The legislation requires participating states and the national intermediary to submit regular reports and undergo audits to monitor the use of funds.
Yes· 3 of 21
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
Guarantees at least 67 percent wage replacement for low-income workers earning at or below the poverty line.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+4
Permits states to use implementation grants to help small businesses afford employer payroll contributions or access technical assistance.
Would children be better off under this?+3
Paid leave allows parents greater time to care for newborns and young children.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Financial Support for Low-Income Workers: Under Section 102(d)(2)(A), low-income employees earning less than or equal to the poverty line for a four-person household are eligible for a weekly compensation rate of not less than 67 percent of their average weekly earnings, which helps ensure that financial hardship does not entirely block workers from taking necessary leave.
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Expanded Access to Paid Leave: Section 102(e) allows states to use grant funds for public outreach, operating call centers, and maintaining websites, which directly benefits individuals by making it easier to learn about and access available paid leave programs.
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Help for Small Businesses: According to Section 204(c)(2), states are permitted to use implementation grants to help small businesses afford employer payroll contributions or access technical assistance, potentially protecting small employers from heavy financial burdens.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Risk of Funding Loss for Non-Compliance: Under Section 204(a)(2)(B), if the Secretary determines that a State is not participating in the I-PLAN in good faith after a warning period, the Secretary may withhold a portion or the total amount of a conforming grant from that State, which could negatively impact individuals if state program operations are scaled back due to lost funding.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Children+3Good For Women+3Good For Business Owners+2Good For Middle Aged+2Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For People With Disabilities+2Good For Young Adults+2Good For African Americans+1Good For Hispanic Americans+1Good For Men+1Good For Seniors+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+4Improves Economic Growth+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Improves Interstate Commerce+2Increase States Rights+2Increases Federal Power+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3Improves Gender Equality+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2
- 7/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York