The landscape of paid and unpaid leave in the United States is rapidly evolving, with comprehensive state paid leave programs supporting workers and employers in 13 states and the District of Columbia. These programs are designed to provide financial support when workers face a qualifying health issue or need time off for family caregiving, helping to ensure that workers can take the necessary time off without risking their financial security.
As of 2024, 13 states—California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington—along with Washington, D.C., have established or are on track to establish comprehensive state paid family and medical leave programs. Ten of these states are already disbursing benefits, and four more are expected to roll out their programs by 2026.
These programs offer workers partial wage replacement, allowing individuals to take leave for a serious personal or family health issue, or to care for a new child without losing their income. In addition to providing crucial financial support, these state programs are contributing to greater workplace stability and family well-being.
While state programs are flourishing, the federal government has yet to implement a nationwide paid family and medical leave policy. The U.S. remains one of the few industrialized nations without federal paid leave, and millions of workers are left without this essential benefit. Though the “Build Back Better Act” passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2021 included the first-ever permanent federal paid leave program, the legislation stalled in the Senate, leaving many workers without the guarantee of paid leave in times of family or personal health crises.
As state legislatures and Congress look ahead to 2025, the continued exploration of policy options—including voluntary tax and insurance-based solutions—will be essential. The push for comprehensive paid leave policies has broad bipartisan support, as well as strong backing from small businesses, which increasingly recognize the value of providing paid leave to workers.
Since its enactment in 1993, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has provided eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a seriously ill family member, recover from their own serious illness, or bond with a new child. While the FMLA has been crucial in helping millions of workers balance personal health issues and family responsibilities, it does not guarantee paid leave and is available to only about 56% of the workforce due to exclusions based on company size and employee tenure. Many low-wage, rural, and single-parent workers are often excluded from FMLA benefits.
Despite these barriers, the FMLA remains widely used, with over 460 million claims reported in its first three decades. However, a significant number of workers (6.9% in 2018) report needing FMLA leave but being unable to afford to take unpaid leave, which highlights the need for more comprehensive paid leave policies.
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