Opinion: Ensuring Nevada parents get the paid leave they deserve

Welcoming a new child into the family—whether through birth or adoption—is one of the most significant moments in a person’s life. Yet for many Nevada parents, the joy of parenthood is overshadowed by the financial stress of taking unpaid leave or returning to work too soon. 

AB388, sponsored by Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch, seeks to change that by ensuring all private employers provide paid leave. Expanding paid family leave is not just a matter of workplace fairness; it is a necessity for the health and well-being of Nevada’s families and the state’s long-term economic success.

The first few months of a child’s life are critical for both parents and newborns. Research shows that paid maternity leave is associated with lower infant mortality rates, improved maternal health, and stronger parent-child bonding. Similarly, paid paternity leave has been linked to greater father involvement in childcare, long-term child development benefits, and increased workforce participation among mothers.

However, the United States remains one of the few developed nations without a national paid family leave policy, leaving individual states to fill the gap. In Nevada, many new parents face a difficult choice: take unpaid leave and struggle financially, or return to work before they are physically and emotionally ready. AB388 aims to ensure that all private-sector employees have access to paid leave, giving Nevada families the time they need without fear of financial instability. 

The protections in this measure include a maximum of 12 weeks of paid leave following birth, adoption, or placement of a foster child. Businesses with 50 or more employees would be required to provide paid leave for their employees who have been employed for 90 days or more. This includes all public employees. 

These provisions mirror successful programs in states such as California and New York, where paid leave has been shown to improve family stability, economic security, and employee retention.

Opponents of paid parental leave often argue that it places a financial burden on businesses. However, evidence suggests the opposite. Companies that offer paid leave experience lower employee turnover, higher productivity, and increased worker satisfaction. Additionally, paid leave contributes to long-term economic stability by enabling parents to remain in the workforce while reducing reliance on social safety net programs.

Beyond economic factors, paid parental leave promotes gender equality by enabling both parents to share caregiving responsibilities. Studies show that when fathers take paternity leave, mothers are more likely to return to work and advance in their careers, ultimately reducing the gender pay gap.

AB388 presents an opportunity for Nevada to lead the way in protecting new parents and ensuring that every child gets the best possible start in life. For many Nevada families, the need for paid parental leave is deeply personal. Countless parents have been forced to return to work mere weeks after welcoming a child, missing out on irreplaceable bonding time and struggling with the emotional and financial toll. 

Nevada can take a vital step toward a more equitable and prosperous future by supporting this bill presented by Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch and advocating for a strong paid family and medical leave program. Ensuring every parent has the right to paid leave is not just good policy—it is a fundamental commitment to the well-being of Nevada’s families and children.