SALEM, Ore. — On Thursday, Governor Kate Brown was poised to sign one of the most progressive paid family leave policies in the country into law. Under House Bill 2005, Oregon will be only the 8th state in the nation to offer any guaranteed leave.

"Oregon families no longer need to make the difficult choice between paying the rent and staying home with their newborn, or between chemotherapy and keeping food on the table," said Governor Brown. "It's absurd that our society values someone clocking in and out of their job above holding a loved one's hand — and that will change under HB 2005, where all families who need and care for each other will be recognized."

The bill allows for workers to receive 12 weeks of paid time off that can be used either to care for a new child, recover from a serious illness, or stay home with a newly adopted or foster child. It also promises makes allowances for victims of domestic violence.

Both employers and employees will have to pay into the program in order to fund it, although small enough businesses are exempted. The benefits do not actually start for workers until 2023.

Governor Brown will sign the bill into law at 11:15 a.m. on Friday at Bora Architects in Portland.

In 1991, as an advocate for the Women’s Rights Coalition, I first began working on Paid Family Leave. I look forward to signing this legislation this week. Now, we can finally tell parents they no longer have to worry about losing their pay when they have a baby. https://t.co/j5AbpTGu12

— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) August 5, 2019