More Paid Leave for More Americans Act
Sponsored By: Senator Boozman, John [R-AR]
Introduced
Summary
Would create a federal grant and interstate coordination system to expand access to State paid family and medical leave. This bill would pay States that run covered public‑private paid leave programs, set minimum benefit rules, and fund a national intermediary to build interstate claims and data systems.
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- Workers and families: Would require at least 6 weeks of paid leave and set a weekly benefit cap at 150% of a State's average weekly wage. Low‑income workers would receive a larger share of their wages while higher earners would receive about half.
- States: Would offer competitive grants to States with covered partnerships to run paid leave programs and would also provide conforming and implementation grants. State awards are set between $1.5 million and $8.0 million annually and grants are authorized for FY2027 through FY2029.
- Interstate coordination and employers: Would fund a five‑year national intermediary grant to build interoperable tech, publish a public roadmap within 12 months, and produce annual comparative reports. Grants can also help small businesses with payroll contributions and technical help, and rules limit total weekly payments across multiple employers.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
How paid leave pay is calculated
If enacted, your weekly paid leave would be your average weekly earnings times a replacement rate. If your last four quarters of earnings are at or below the poverty line for a four-person household, the rate would be at least 67%. If your earnings are between that poverty line and twice that amount, the rate would fall from 67% toward 50% by a set formula. If above twice the poverty threshold, the rate would be 50%. Weekly pay would be recalculated each time you apply and could not exceed 150% of the State average weekly wage. If you have multiple employers, combined weekly pay would not go over the State maximum.
Interstate paid leave network and grants
If enacted, the bill would create an Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (I-PLAN) to help States coordinate paid leave rules and claims across State lines. A national intermediary would get a single grant to run I-PLAN, publish a public roadmap within 12 months, produce annual comparative reports, and develop interoperable wage and claims technology; payments would be spread over five years. The Labor Department would also make annual conforming grants and implementation grants to eligible States (about $1.5 million to $8 million per State, awarded by each State's share of national employment). States could use these Title II funds for administration, data sharing, and to help small businesses with employer payroll contributions.
Minimum standards for State paid leave
If enacted, the bill would define an eligible State paid leave program and set minimum rules. Programs would have to provide at least six weeks of paid leave for a qualifying reason in a 12‑month period and set an annual weekly maximum benefit equal to 150% of the State average weekly wage using the latest QCEW data. States would have to use a covered partnership (or allow employer self-administration where permitted) and specify how benefits are financed. States would still be allowed to offer benefits that are more generous than these minimums.
Federal grants to help State paid leave
If enacted, the bill would create competitive federal grants to States that have eligible paid leave laws. Title I grants to States would range from $1,500,000 to $7,000,000 per award and require State applications and annual reporting. Grant funds could pay start‑up costs, limited benefit payments for qualifying reasons, partnerships, software, outreach, and steps to reduce employer administrative burdens. The Department of Labor inspector general would audit grantees within one year and annually thereafter.
Employers can self-administer paid leave
If enacted, the bill would let employers self-administer paid leave when their employer-provided benefits meet or exceed the State program's requirements. This would reduce paperwork and state interaction for some employers. It would also shift compliance, cash‑flow, and enforcement responsibilities to the employer and could change how workers get and enforce benefits.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Boozman, John [R-AR]
AR • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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