MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Senate approved a paid family leave bill by enough votes to override a potential veto by Gov. Phil Scott.
The legislation was approved by a vote of 20-9 in the Senate on Friday and is now headed to the House.
The bill provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth of a newborn or an adoption. People caring for an ailing loved one would be eligible for eight weeks of benefits.
The average Vermont resident will receive 70% of their pay during their leave depending on how much money they make.
The bill would use a 0.2% payroll tax on most workers in the state to fund the paid leave benefit.
It’s unclear how Scott feels about the bill, but he has said he prefers a voluntary paid leave program that workers could opt into.
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