Leaders Praise Revised Paid Parental Leave Policy
Published on September 17, 2026
PITTSBURGH – Last night the Allegheny County Board of Health released a revised Paid Parental Leave policy. Today, County Executive Innamorato and other elected, labor, and community leaders praised the new policy as a bold and necessary step forward for public health.
County Executive Sara Innamorato said: "The County heard from moms and dads, experts and business owners about paid parental leave and we took the feedback to heart. The revised bill presented last night is bold and puts public health for Allegheny County families first, while still being responsive to concerns that we're brought forward over the last few months. I want to thank everyone who made their voice heard. This is a popular policy and passing it is a necessary step to show that we can deliver real results for working families.”
Elected officials
“When we lead with our values and fight together, we can deliver real changes that make people’s lives better,” said Congresswoman Summer Lee. “No parent should have to choose between a paycheck and being there for their new baby. This policy is a progressive milestone that will give parents the time they deserve to care for their families while making Allegheny County a stronger, healthier place to live and work. I’m proud of Allegheny County for leading the way, and I hope communities across the country follow our example.”
“It should not be such a ripoff to raise a family in America," said Congressman Chris Deluzio. "Allegheny County’s revised Paid Parental Leave policy reflects smart updates after the county listened to important feedback from small business owners and others. This is a bold policy that will go a long way to making sure that Allegheny County is a great place to start a family. I commend County Executive Innamorato for leading the way—the country should follow.”
Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa said: “I’m pleased to support Allegheny County’s revised paid parental leave policy, a meaningful investment in public health that will benefit our county’s growing families. This policy was developed with feedback from businesses, health experts, teachers, and moms and dads across Allegheny County and reflects our shared commitment to healthy families for all. I’m grateful for everyone who made their voices heard in this process and look forward to continued discussions about how to best support our families.”
“I commend Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato for her work to expand paid parental leave and for listening to feedback from residents and employers in revising the proposal,” said Senator Nick Pisciottano. “I know firsthand how important those first few months after welcoming a child can be, and no parent should have to choose between caring for their family and making ends meet.”
Senator Wayne D. Fontana said: “I applaud County Executive Innamorato for taking on this issue here in Allegheny County since the state has not acted. I support a statewide solution which is why I co-sponsored Senator Pisciottano’s Senate Bill 1241, which would guarantee paid parental leave for all Pennsylvanians. This is an opportunity for government to lead so young parents want to raise their families in Allegheny County.”
"I am honored to express support for Allegheny County’s pioneering paid parental leave policy. This is a public health and maternal health imperative that will finally address the needs of workers and employers,” said State Representative La’Tasha D. Mayes, Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus. “The paid parental leave policy is an important step towards a future where parents especially mothers don’t have to choose between caring for their children and putting food on the table. This is a long overdue standard that every other developed country has. Every single Pennsylvanian deserves to have these protections. Let Allegheny County be an example, a pioneer, and a leader. 14 other states have a paid parental leave policy; it is time for our County and Commonwealth to bridge this critical care gap.”
“Paid parental leave programs are popular for a reason. They drive better health outcomes, improve quality of life, and foster positive work environments. In the State House this year we passed an expansive leave program called the Family Care Act with bipartisan support. But, without cooperation from leadership in the Senate, it is sitting in committee. I commend Executive Innamorato’s leadership to provide leave in Allegheny County and will continue to support expanding paid parental leave programming to working families across Pennsylvania,” said State Representative Aerion Abney, Chair of the Allegheny County Delegation.
“No Pennsylvanian should have to choose between a paycheck and taking time away from work to welcome a new child, care for a loved one, or address a serious health need. As a prime sponsor of the statewide Family Care Act, I remain committed to establishing a comprehensive, sustainable paid family and medical leave program at the state level that works for families, workers, and businesses alike,” said State Representative Lindsay Powell. “Pennsylvanians across all 67 counties deserve the security of knowing that when life requires them to step away from work, they can care for themselves and their families without risking their financial stability. I am proud to work with Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato to move us towards a policy that works for all of us.”
Labor leaders
“Working people shouldn’t have to choose between a paycheck and being there for their family when a new child comes home,” said John Galuska, President, Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. “The Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council is proud to support paid parental leave and efforts to make sure working families across our region have that basic security. We encourage the Board of Health and County Council to get this done.”
“County Executive Innamorato has shown that you can grow the economy and stand up for working people at the same time. With more than $6 billion in new investment moving forward and an administration willing to take on big issues affecting working families, she has been a strong partner for labor and for the people who build this region. This policy will strengthen our ability to grow,” said Joseph Laquatra, Laborers’ District Council of Western PA.
“Working people shouldn’t have to choose between a paycheck and being there for their family when a new child arrives. Whether you work in one of our legacy industries or are part of the growing number of workers organizing in education and other new sectors, twelve weeks of paid parental leave provides real security for families. This is the kind of bold benefit that raises the standard for working people across Allegheny County,” said Bernie Hall, District 10 Director, United Steelworkers.
“The 80,000 workers of SEIU in Pennsylvania passionately support paid parental leave to protect infant health and ensure all working families can thrive. We are nurses, caregivers, and workers in public service, property services and other service industries throughout our Commonwealth. We see every day that our communities face an infant and maternal health crisis, which is particularly dire in Allegheny County. Studies prove that parental leave reduces newborn deaths and promotes the physical and mental health of both children and parents,” said Matt Yarnell, President, SEIU PA State Council. “The Allegheny County Board of Health listened to over 1,400 comments from parents, community members, health advocates and small business owners, and made commonsense compromises to craft a strong, effective policy. In an economy where working parents are struggling to survive, no one should have to make the impossible choice of losing their paycheck or their job just to care for their baby. The time is now for the Allegheny County Council to pass parental leave for the health and future of everyone in the region.”
Community voices
“This is what visionary leadership in action looks like: building healthier, stronger, more affordable communities,” said Alex Wallach Hanson, Executive Director of Pennsylvania United. “The infant and maternal health crises disproportionately impact Black, brown, and low income families, and the outpouring of public support in favor of paid parental leave make it clear: people in Allegheny County overwhelmingly want, and need, paid parental leave. The modifications made to the proposal show that the Board took feedback seriously and preserved the central focus of the policy: saving the lives of babies and new parents in Allegheny County.”
“For small businesses like mine, the most important thing we can offer are spaces that our neighbors are not only able, but proud to patronize, and that starts with a strong, healthy workforce to deliver for our communities," said Jeimy Ibarra, owner of El Colibri in Garfield. “Paid parental leave is one of the surest ways to keep new parents and babies healthy and alleviate the financial stress on growing families to make ends meet when welcoming a child into the world. Allegheny County absolutely can, and should, do this for the health, security, and futures of our families.”