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DCHR says proposed PFL changes are fiscal response; agency cites $20M current cost, $8M projected after changes
Summary
DCHR Director Charles Hall told the committee that the bill's changes are intended to address a projected $1 billion revenue shortfall and that family‑leave costs would fall from about $20 million to $8 million under the proposal; unions disputed whether savings justify the proposed cuts.
Charles Hall Jr., director of the Department of Human Resources, told the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor that Bill 26‑326 is part of a broader set of measures to address a projected multi‑year revenue decline.
Hall said the chief financial officer forecasted a decline in local revenues exceeding $1 billion over the next three years, and that agencies must examine where savings can be realized to preserve core services. He told the committee that ‘‘reducing the hours to take care of a family member from 360 to 80…would save the district significant money’’ and later provided a cost snapshot that the ‘‘current expense for family is $20,000,000. With the proposed legislation it would reduce it to $8,000,000.’’
Union leaders and advocates questioned whether those savings are accurate or complete. Witnesses noted that DCHR’s figures exclude some independent agencies (for example, DCPS does not use the same payroll system) and urged the committee to produce a more granular agency‑by‑agency costing. Several labor witnesses also said that non‑monetary impacts—turnover, recruitment challenges and reduced caregiving capacity—should be factored into the city’s calculus.
DCHR and committee members discussed data sources and timelines: DCHR uses PeopleSoft (implemented in February 2023) and MicroStrategy dashboards to track leave; the agency offered to provide hours and dollar breakdowns for the committee’s review. The chair asked for follow‑up costing that includes independent agencies.
DCHR framed the package as preserving essential parental bonding leave (which would remain at 8 weeks) while narrowing care‑leave entitlement for other qualifying family events to balance the program’s long‑term viability.
