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The Latest: San Francisco approves full leave for parents

By Associated Press | April 5, 2016 @ 2:51 pm

Founder and CEO Mark Dwight holds a backpack while posing at his Rickshaw Bagworks factory on Monday, April 4, 2016, in San Francisco. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is voting on whether to require six weeks of fully paid leave for new parents - a move that would be a first for any jurisdiction. The proposal to be voted on Tuesday would require San Francisco employers with at least 20 employees to make up the rest. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

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Founder and CEO Mark Dwight poses by a wall of backpacks and totes at his Rickshaw Bagworks factory store on Monday, April 4, 2016, in San Francisco. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is voting on whether to require six weeks of fully paid leave for new parents - a move that would be a first for any jurisdiction. For small businesses, however, the proposal is yet another requirement that cuts into their competitive edge. Dwight, whose company of 30 employees makes custom work bags in San Francisco, said local businesses don’t have the wiggle room to spread costs or turn to deep-pocketed investors. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Founder and CEO Mark Dwight poses inside his Rickshaw Bagworks factory store on Monday, April 4, 2016, in San Francisco. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is voting on whether to require six weeks of fully paid leave for new parents - a move that would be a first for any jurisdiction. For small businesses, however, the proposal is yet another requirement that cuts into their competitive edge. Dwight, whose company of 30 employees makes custom work bags in San Francisco, said local businesses don’t have the wiggle room to spread costs or turn to deep-pocketed investors. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Latest on San Francisco’s fully paid parental leave ordinance (all times local):

2:45 p.m.

San Francisco has approved a measure making it the first place in the nation to require businesses to provide fully paid leave for new parents.

Advocates say the issue is gaining momentum across the country much like the debate over a higher minimum wage.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday after supporters said six weeks of fully paid leave is needed because too many families can’t afford to take time off after a child is born or adopted.

Small business owners countered that it’s the latest in a long list of city mandates — including paid sick leave and health coverage — that unfairly targets them.

California, Rhode Island and New Jersey provide for partial pay, with the money coming from employees. Legislators in New York last month approved up to 12 weeks of partial pay.

AP

The Latest: San Francisco approves full leave for parents

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