CO Legislature Moves Forward Parental Leave Bill

March 21, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The Colorado legislature has moved forward a parental leave bill that will require employers to have a policy allowing employees paid time off to attend children's school functions.

The Denver Business Journal reports that the state Senate version of the bill SB06-066 requires employers in the state with 10 or more employees to allow for paid time off not to exceed five hours monthly.   The state House Business Affairs and Labor Committee amended the bill to state only that businesses with 25 or more employees have a parental leave policy in place.

The Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI) said it does not have a problem with the amended version of the bill, according to the DBJ. CACI President and CEO Chuck Berry urged representatives not to compromise with the Senate, saying the House amendment is “a positive step away” from a “one-size-fits-all mandate.”

However, the National Federation of Independent Business and the Colorado Competitive Council (C3) are against the bill, saying it is another mandate on businesses and limits their flexibility.

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