A new bill in the Ohio House aims at encouraging companies to offer at least eight weeks of paid parental leave.

Under the Parental Leave Act, businesses would receive an income tax credit for employers that provide fully paid parental leave.

“This would create a tax credit, a nonrefundable tax credit, for employers to provide a minimum of 56 days paid parental leave. I think it's a more conservative approach to tackling this challenge because it's not a mandate and so we’re not requiring an employer to do anything. We’re just simply trying to create an incentive to kind of nudge them in the right direction,” said Tex Fischer, State Representative for the 58th District.

If passed, private employers who offer at least eight weeks of paid parental leave could claim up to $54,000 a year in nonrefundable tax credits.

Lauren McNally, state representative of the 59th District, said she’s happy the bill starts conversations about paternity leave, but is worried the bill focuses on assisting businesses instead of families.

“I wish there was something in that gave assistance to the family rather than give tax breaks to the companies,” said McNally, “Even if it’s state funded, a portion of paternity and maternity leave, that’s a really easy way to make sure that the money is going to support the family entity in a time where they desperately need that kind of support.”

Dawn Huckelbridge, founding director of Paid Leave for All Action, said she has seen similar laws. 

“There is currently a tax credit at the federal level that has proven ineffective. Again, it only went to the wealthiest corporations, there is actually no evidence that it created access. It was not used often. Meanwhile, we know from the states that a lot of these paid leave programs are working,” said Huckelbridge.

Fischer argued some businesses struggle too. 

“The economy is a little bit tough right now both for families and employers, so trying to provide an incentive to do the right thing rather than forcing something on them that they may or may be able to afford, without having to cut back other places I just think is a more responsible approach towards helping move the ball in the right direction,” said Fischer.

Federal law requires employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave per year. 

Thirteen states have made paid parental leave a requirement that employers must offer. Ohio is not one of those states.