A new paid parental leave policy for city employees could soon make its way to Houston City Council.
In an email to Community Impact Newspaper, District C Communications Director Kate Dentler said the policy will first be heard at a special called Houston City Council Committee on Quality of Life meeting April 7 at 2 p.m. Public speakers are welcome to attend but must sign up by 5 p.m. April 6. The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams or in person and will be available on the Houston Television live feed.
The consideration for the policy comes after the the Houston Women’s Commission included the recommendation in its newly released six-month report led by District C Council Member Abbie Kamin and Chair Beth Matusoff Merfish.
According to its website, the commission, founded in 2021, serves as a permanent advisory board to advance the equality and equity for women in the city of Houston.
The recommendation from the report asks that city of Houston employees who have been working for six months be allowed 12 weeks of paid leave for multiple reasons, such as birth, adoption or fostering to adopt. According to a March 30 press release, the new policy will also allow for pregnant city of Houston workers to have access to other supporting benefits.
"By offering paid parental leave, the city of Houston will be able to attract and retain top talent while supporting families and children," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement. "I am pleased with the recommended policy and am grateful to the Houston Women's Commission members for their work."
According to the release, Turner challenged the members of the commission “to study the feasibility of creating the city's first paid parental leave policy” in August 2021.
The members of the commission worked with Houston Human Resources Director Jane Cheeks, Finance Director Tantri Emo and others who were not named to draft the policy, the release said.
"We are hopeful that this policy will be adopted by the city, and look forward to how this investment in women in the city of Houston will make city employment more accessible and welcoming to the talented women of Houston," Merfish said in a statement.
Kamin, who was the first Houston City Council member to be pregnant and give birth while holding office, called this a pivotal moment for the city, according to the release.
"No parent should have to choose between a paycheck and caring for yourself and your family," Kamin said.
