Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) ensures that New Mexicans don't have to choose between their health, caring for loved ones, and their financial security. Administered by the state, PFML provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave for eligible employees to care for a new child, a seriously ill family member, death of a child, their own health needs, or time for victims of domestic or sexual violence to access care and resources. It’s funded by small contributions by employers and employees. It's time to enact PFML in New Mexico to support our workers and families.
Good for Families
Paid Family and Medical Leave is a fundamental need, not a luxury. It allows New Mexicans to attend to their health or support their family during significant life events without the worry of losing income. PFML eliminates the tough choice between a job and family health, ensuring financial stability during challenging times.
Good for Business
PFML benefits businesses across New Mexico, both large and small. It enables small businesses to offer competitive benefits and retain top talent. Through the PFML fund, the state pays the employees’ salaries while they are on leave. Businesses can use the savings to cover costs while the employees are out, keeping things running smoothly. Additionally, PFML helps address labor shortages by encouraging more people to join the workforce. Research shows that labor force participation rate is higher in states with PFML than those without.*
Good for Health
PFML is particularly advantageous for rural residents, who often travel long distances for medical care. It supports healthier pregnancies and better birth outcomes in rural areas of our state. PFML also improves access to family support for hospitalized children, whose parents might otherwise struggle to provide care due to the distance from work to pediatric hospitals. Research shows that having access to paid sick leave is associated with a significantly lower risk of mortality across a wide range of conditions, including heart disease and unintentional injuries.**
*https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212828X2030030X
** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664748/
