TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11) - The New Jersey State Assembly passed a bill to protect the jobs of some workers of very small businesses who take paid family leave.
"This gives us the opportunity to help about 700,000 New Jerseyans," said Assembly Speaker Criag Coughlin prior to the vote.
The bill seeks to extend job protection to those who take paid family leave and work for companies with as few as five employees, phasing down to that number over time from 20 employees, then 10.
Currently, employees of companies with at least 30 people can take up to 12 weeks of leave to bond with a newborn or care for a loved one who's ill. Coughlin, like many of his fellow Democrats, said some will inevitably need to take family leave regardless of how big or small their employer is.
"Being able to care for a parent who cared for you when it was their turn, I think, really makes it crystal clear that this is a bill that we ought to do," said Coughlin.
Republican Assemblyman Brian Bergen said the bill is not practical for small business owners, many of whom already make accommodations for their employees on their own accord.
"When you add this type of legislation that restricts small business owners, makes their job more difficult, it makes them have to pull back on some of the things they do ordinarily just to be good business owners," said Bergen.
His concern is for what will happen to a small business owner if one of their employees on leave were to decide to not come back after those 12 weeks.
"That just has such a dramatic impact on a small business owner," said Bergen.
The bill will now work its way to the New Jersey Senate.
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