Bills aim to promote equity and accommodations for new parents 

Prince George’s County Council Member Krystal Oriadha has presented new legislation that will provide equitable leave time to County employees after they welcome a child, and mandate lactation rooms in County buildings.

The Parental Leave Bill amends the County’s current parental leave policy and allows government employees to take parental leave after three months of employment instead of one year. 

“As a mother to a three-month-old, I know adjusting to the role of parent is a pivotal moment in a person’s life. All County employees deserve time with their family and time to transition to the expectations of parenthood,” Council Member Oriadha said. “A year of employment as a requirement can be detrimental to a family. We must secure reasonable and fair arrangements that not only provide job security, but put employees first.”

The Council Member continues to prioritize maternal health with a new bill that creates mandatory lactation rooms in County buildings. This legislation would require all County buildings have a lactation/pumping room for both employees and those visiting the building. The bill also requires milk refrigerators and other necessities for lactating mothers. 

“Coming back to work is already stressful for new mothers. Having reasonable accommodations at the workplace is essential to helping with that process,” said Council Member Oriadha. 

These bills will help provide equitable accommodations to government employees who are new and expecting parents and are part of the Council Member’s overall maternal health and reproductive care priorities.