family leave

The expansion will allow eligible state employees to receive paid maternity leave for up to seven weeks and parental leave for two weeks, which can be combined to provide nine weeks for mothers.

Many specialists in family leave policy say the tax credits included in the new federal law are too small to persuade most employers to offer such benefits.

Paternity leave can make a big difference in a dad's long-term engagement with the child, doctors find. Paid family leave also fosters breastfeeding and reduces the incidence of maternal depression.