Noem's paid family leave program passes first legislative hurdle

PIERRE — House lawmakers have referred a paid family leave program proposed by Gov. Kristi Noem to the House Committee on Appropriations, signaling the legislation has passed its first legislative hurdle.

The bill, HB 1151, introduced by Rep. Mike Weisgram, R-Fort Pierre, on Wednesday morning, would provide 100% paid leave for state employees after the birth or adoption of a child, when the employee's spouse is on military active duty, or when the employee is called to be a caregiver for a sick family member for 12 weeks. The policy would be covered under insurance. Private employers would also have the chance to opt into the insurance policy.

With no opponents to argue against the proposed legislation, proponents from the business and insurance communities, health care professionals, women's rights groups and the Governor's Office spoke to the benefit that paid family leave provides. That included attracting young workers and ensuring those who love their job don't have to quit to take care of a loved one.

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"This is a pro-life policy that proves that we care about women, children and families every step of the way," said Rachel Oglesby, chief of policy for Gov. Noem. "The future of the pro-life movement lies in initiatives like this, taking care of mothers and babies before birth and after."

It's a policy promise Noem made in the fall, when she was running for re-election and continues her Stronger Families agenda. Another senate bill has been filed to create a $20 million incentive program for private businesses to adopt paid family leave programs. While it has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for a hearing, no hearing has been scheduled yet.

Oglesby explained to the committee if the legislation passed, the state would take bids from insurance agencies who would design the leave policy. Following the adoption of the policy plan, local governments and private businesses could also choose to purchase the insurance policy plan that the state chooses.

Those two groups could then work with the insurance provider to design the best leave policy for their employees, Oglesby said. Insurance premiums could also drop as more employers sign onto the policy.

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"We want this program to be flexible because we want as many businesses as possible to buy in so that as many South Dakotans as possible can access this benefit," she said.

The policy would cost the state an estimated $3 million, which has been budgeted in the state's Bureau of Human Resources, Oglesby said.

Because of the cost to the state, the House State Affairs Committee voted with 11 yeses and 2 excused to refer the bill to the appropriations committee with a due pass recommendation.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Kristi Noem's paid family leave program passes first legislative hurdle