Dayton Proposes Paid Parental Leave for State Employees

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton wants to offer paid parental leave to all 35,000 state employees.

The Democratic governor announced his proposal Tuesday to provide six weeks of paid leave to new parents. Mothers and fathers would qualify under the plan Dayton will include in a supplemental budget this year.

The state expects about 500 employees would use paid leave annually but it's unclear how much it would cost. Dayton says public employees shouldn't skip paychecks to care for new children.

More generous leave policies are a rallying cause among Democrats. Previous efforts to institute a statewide paid sick and parental leave system haven't gained steam.

Minnesota would join just three states that offer paid leave if the Legislature approves it. California, New Jersey and Rhode Island currently offer those benefits.