Bipartisan Paid Leave Bills Designed to Aid Multistate Employers

The bipartisan House Paid Family Leave Working Group, led by Representatives Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), has introduced two bills aimed at expanding access to paid family leave and easing compliance burdens for multistate employers.

• The More Paid Leave for More Americans Act (H.R. 3089) and the Interstate Paid Family Leave Action Network (I-PLAN) Act (H.R. 3090) reflect a pragmatic, consensus-driven approach to addressing the patchwork of paid leave laws across the country.

• These proposals are the culmination of more than two years of bipartisan collaboration within the Working Group—efforts in which HR Policy Association has actively participated and served as a key resource. 

Why it matters: As more states implement paid family leave programs, large multistate employers face a growing patchwork of compliance requirements—despite frequently providing benefits that exceed legal mandates.  

• 13 states and the District of Columbia have paid family leave programs. Hawaii has paid disability leave and three states have voluntary programs to allow workers and employers to purchase private family or medical leave insurance, according to the Department of Labor (find out more in our State Law Guide).

The More Paid Leave for More Americans Act creates a competitive grant program for states that implement paid family leave programs offering at least six weeks of benefits for the birth or adoption of a child. 

• Public-private partnership model: Encourages states to collaborate with the private sector to ensure programs are accessible, innovative, and efficiently managed. 

• Harmonization requirement: To be eligible for funding, states must participate in the I-PLAN, creating incentives for alignment across jurisdictions. 

The Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (I-PLAN) Act establishes a national framework for coordination among state paid leave programs. 

• Creates the I-PLAN collaboration: A formal body for states to develop shared definitions, eligibility rules, and administrative processes. 

• Promote standardization with flexibility: States can still design their own programs, but participation in I-PLAN ensures alignment and continued access to federal support. 

What employers need to know:

• The federal bills would not create any new compliance obligations for employers.

• The legislation’s goal is to standardize compliance and administration for employers and states, respectively, without adding new federal benefit requirements. 

What’s next:  Reps. Bice and Houlahan remain optimistic about the legislation’s prospects this Congress, emphasizing that party leadership and the White House have been engaged and fully briefed on its importance.

• The proposal carries a $500 million price tag-- securing agreement on funding offsets may present a challenge to final passage.

• As momentum builds, HR leaders should stay engaged. The bills offer a potential blueprint for the future of paid leave and a more harmonized approach for multistate employers. 

• HRPA will continue to monitor developments and keep members informed throughout the legislative process.