Committee hears testimony on bill expanding unpaid leave to include bereavement and safe leave

The General & Housing Committee heard testimony Wednesday from Johanna DeGraffneri, public policy manager for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, in favor of legislation that would expand access to unpaid family and medical leave to include bereavement and “safe leave” for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. DeGraffneri told the committee that although the bill as written provides unpaid leave, VBSR supports expanding paid family and medical leave in Vermont.

DeGraffneri said the bill is “a pragmatic step to equitably expanding paid family and medical leave,” and urged the committee to consider provisions that make coverage more inclusive of LGBTQIA employees and their families. She cited regional comparators, saying 12 states have expanded paid family and medical leave to include LGBTQIA individuals and families and that 19,000…