# Plain Language Summary: Promoting Equitable Access to Paid Family Leave Act of 2021

This bill gives working parents a new option when they have a baby or adopt a child. Instead of using government-funded child care assistance, parents could choose to receive cash payments for three months after birth or adoption. The payment amount would be based on what the government normally spends on infant child care in their area, so it varies by location but ensures parents get a meaningful amount to help them stay home with their newborn or newly adopted child if they want to.

To qualify for these payments, parents need to show they've been working or in a job training program for at least a year before applying. They also have to promise they won't be getting paid parental leave from another source during this time and that their child won't be in child care while receiving the payment. The payments can be given monthly, every two weeks, or weekly, depending on what works best for the family. After the three-month period ends, parents would have the option to switch back to using child care services if they need to return to work.

The key idea behind this bill is giving families flexibility. Some parents might prefer to stay home for those first few months after birth or adoption rather than immediately putting their child in care, but many can't afford to lose their income. This program would let them make that choice without financial hardship. It's designed to work within existing child care assistance programs by letting states offer this payment option as an alternative to traditional child care subsidies.

Promoting Equitable Access to Paid Family Leave Act of 2021

LaHood, Darin

Promoting Equitable Access to Paid Family Leave Act of 2021 This bill allows the parent of a child who is eligible for child care assistance to receive payments equal to the average subsidy payment for such assistance in lieu of receiving the assistance during the three-month period beginning on the date of the child's birth or adoption.