According to the 1998 Business Work-Life Survey, companies with more than 250 employees, and with larger proportions of unionized workers, are more likely to offer at least 12 weeks of unpaid paternity leave. Moreover, companies with at least some top executive positions filled by minorities are more likely to offer paternity leaves longer than 12 weeks. Last year, President Bill Clinton called on states to begin pilot programs that would provide unemployment benefits to employees during part of their time off, with both mothers and fathers eligible. So far, legislation to that effect is pending in Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington. Also, using temporary disability benefits is another way some states are looking to fund this.
Unemployment benefits are only one vehicle.
It obviously needs further review and extensive study to gauge its impact. If it were proposed it would be an idea that would need to be considered and approved by the Texas Legislature when they re-convene in 2001. The Texas Legislature's Senate Health Services Committee also has no plans for such legislation, and declined to comment. Their lip service goes against their actions. Fathers need to stand up against this and be counted.