Parents could receive state-sanctioned leave from work to attend their children’s science fairs, parent-teacher conferences, plays and other academic activities under a bill that pits small businesses against school advocates.
The vote on House Bill 1057 was delayed in committee after testimony stretched into the evening hours Thursday.
Business interests said companies already negotiate leave with their employees and that giving parents special unpaid leave would be unfair to childless workers.
School groups told horror stories about parents being told their jobs were at stake should they leave work to meet with teachers.
Sponsor Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, said the legislation is aimed at lower-income parents.
He said the threats are “hard to quantify because these are not people who are used to standing up and making noise. It’s the parents you most need to talk to who are the ones who are least likely to be there for conferences.”
As written, the bill would allow up to 40 hours of unpaid leave a year, though Kerr said he intends to amend that to 18 hours. He also promised to clean up vague language describing what constitutes an academic activity.
The bill limits parents to six leave-hours a month and requires notice except in emergencies.
Small-business owners from across the state gave a litany of expenses and administrative obstacles they say the bill would cause.
“Why do we need this legislation?” asked Loren Furman, representing the state’s chambers of commerce. “Businesses . . . offer vacation, personal leave or paid time off. That leave is intended to be used for these types of activities.”
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com
