Representative Linda Serrato believes that people shouldn't have to choose between work and taking care of their family, and lawmakers have been demanding a paid family and medical leave program, KRQE reported.
And, she argues, it's not just the employees who would benefit.
"For our small business community, they've had to deal with workers having to leave for a week at a time or longer," Representative Linda Serrato told the station. "People have to deal with funeral arrangements, unfortunately, during this period. How do you navigate those periods? It's very difficult."
The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act would create a trust fund through both employee and employer contributions. In order to access those funds, an employee would have to demonstrate that they are either: caring for a sick family member, caring for their own health or having a new child.
The Department of Workforce Solutions would distribute the funds to those eligible, according to KRQE. If the bill passes, New Mexico will become the tenth state to adopt a paid family and medical leave program. According to House Memorial Three, often working New Mexicans who already have serious medical conditions often don't seek medical treatment for the same until there is an emergency. This is mainly because they have very limited access to paid or unpaid leave.