ABINGTON, PA – January 20, 2026 – Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Nick Miller held a hearing to consider the Emergency Leave Act.
“When working families succeed, our community succeeds,” he said Senator Nick Miller. “We must prioritize the needs of working families, who often face unexpected challenges, while balancing the responsibilities of parent and employee. Today we heard from testifiers who emphasized that we must work to create policies that help families thrive and build a better future for all.”
“The workforce has changed, families have changed, and our regulations must keep pace,” he said Senator Haywood. “Parents and caregivers should not have to choose between keeping a job and showing up for a child’s school conference, doctor’s appointment or caring for an aging loved one. The Emergency Leave Act would allow working families up to 20 hours of leave. This is a practical and proven first step toward a stronger family leave system in Pennsylvania.”
Lonnie Golden, professor of economics and human resources at Penn State University Abington, began the hearing with how the Emergency Leave Act would impact workplace flexibility and patterns and differences in other types of leave.
“Many workers, especially low-income and part-time workers, do not have access to paid leave, all 4-5 types of leave, and are often forced to choose between caring responsibilities and earning an income, and therefore lack a formal support system to participate in a variety of critical family events,” Golden said.
Golden also highlighted the policy implications of this bill, which addresses critical loopholes in the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Blake Emmauel, director of advocacy and policy at the Fund for Women and Girls, shared how emergency leave laws in other states have demonstrated positive impacts for both workers and employers and address the historical and institutionalized consequences of sexism, racism, ableism, and employment segregation based on gender and race.
“Years of inappropriate workplace policies and cultural expectations have resulted in women earning less than men,” Emmauel said. “Access to leave enables continued access to the workforce, helping women maintain wages, benefits and career advancement. States that have policies such as short-term leave have smaller gender pay gaps than states like Pennsylvania that do not.”
Dan O’Brien, director of family economic stability at Children First, testified that states such as New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Delaware have enacted paid leave and other benefits that encourage families to stay and represent a significant opportunity to implement similar policies.
“Our most important job as parents is to care for our children,” O’Brien said. “Imagine having to choose between protecting your job and providing your child with the medical care he or she needs. There are many parents across Pennsylvania who simply cannot leave work to take their sick child to the doctor.”
Obrien also stated, “Without action, Pennsylvania parents will continue to have to choose between the immediate health of their children and the long-term financial stability of their household. Without action, parents will miss important life milestones that their children can achieve in school. Moments that impact children throughout their lives.”
Nina Coffey, Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU 668, testified about the straightforward realities of being a parent, what she witnessed on the job, and why that diminutive amount of time is crucial for working families.
“When I worked in district aid, I spent my days helping people who were already doing everything they could to get by,” Coffey said. “Many of the people who came through our doors were working, not looking for handouts. They were trying to keep low wages high enough to cover rent, food, utilities and child care.”
Hillary Shah, an attorney at Community Legal Services, spoke about her experience working for an organization that has helped more than 130,000 low-income Philadelphians.
“One of the most common and destabilizing issues my clients regularly encounter is a lack of access to paid leave,” Shah said. “That’s why I’m here. Social legal services support the law on leave for minor needs.”
The following testified at today’s hearing:
- Penn State University at Abington
- Fund for Women and Girls
- First the children
- SEIU 668
- Community legal services
Senator Nick Miller was elected political chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus in December 2024.
Footage of the hearing and written testimony from the panel are available at: PASenatorMiller.com/Policy. Downloadable photos and videos are available upon request.
For more information on AP Senate Democrats’ priorities, visit www.pasenate.com.
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Insight into legislation
Supporting Families
Supporting employees and communities
- Nina CoffeySecretary-Treasurer – SEIU 668
- Hilary Shah, Attorney – Social Legal Services
