Monthly. Legislative. Update. March 30, 2016

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1 Monthly Legislative Update March 30, 2016

Public Policy and Advocacy Team Catherine Beane Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy Email: cbeane@ywca.

2 Public Policy and Advocacy Team Catherine Beane Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy Qudsia Raja Advocacy and Policy Manager, Health & Safety Portfolio includes: domestic and sexual violence, VAWA/VOCA, gun violence. Also available for inquiries regarding: Week Without Violence (WWV) and the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Mission Impact Group. Holly Jones Director of Member Services Leads local association advocacy capacity building and voter mobilization work. 2

3 National Partnership for Women & Families Rachel Lyons Sr. Government Affairs Manager Christine Sloane Outreach & Field Manager 3

4 Agenda 1. Welcome & Introductions 2. Stand Against Racism: April 28-May Federal Policy Priorities Work & Family: Paid Sick Leave, Paid Family & Medical Leave Domestic Violence: Reducing DV Homicides, Safe Leave, Economic Security 4. Announcements 4

5 Stand Against Racism: April 28- May theme: On A Mission for Girls of Color! Registration open at February 11 webinar: access the PPT or video recording to ensure you re able to incorporate theme-related materials for your event Digital Toolkit: Contains instructional and promotional items that can be downloaded and printed on your own equipment or at a local print shop. 5

6 Stand Against Racism Stand Against Racism buttons, wristbands, and t- shirts are only available for purchase through the online store Orders placed on or before April 11 are guaranteed delivery by April 28 Orders placed after April 11 may not be available by April 28 6

7 Stand Against Racism: National Day of Action Policy Briefing Thursday, April 28, 10AM-12PM Google 25 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC For those outside of the Metro-DC area, please be on the look out for details on how to livestream the event. 7

8 Stand Against Racism: National Day of Action Policy Briefing Confirmed Speakers: Dara Richardson-Heron, M.D., YWCA USA Malika Sadaa Saar, Google Kimberle Williams Crenshaw, Center for Intersectionality and Social Studies, Columbia Law School and UCLA Law School Rocio Inclan, National Education Association Lindsay Rosenthal, Vera Institute for Justice 8

9 2016 Federal Policy Priorities Racial Justice & Civil Rights: Girls of Color Focus CEDAW Ending Racial Profiling (ERPA) More details on 4/27 legislative call 9

10 2016 Federal Policy Priorities Work & Family: Paid Sick Leave Paid Family & Medical Leave Domestic Violence: Reducing Domestic Violence Homicides Safe Leave Economic Security 10

National Partnership for Women & Families 44 Years Fighting and Winning for Women & Families The National Partnership for Women & Families is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501 c(3) advocacy

11 National Partnership for Women & Families 44 Years Fighting and Winning for Women & Families The National Partnership for Women & Families is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501 c(3) advocacy group dedicated to promoting fairness in the workplace, access to quality health care and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family. 11

12 The World of Work and Family Has Fundamentally Changed Women make up nearly half of all workers Women as % of labor force % 49.3% Traditional families % 44.7% Moms of children under 6 at work % 64.3% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Source: Center for American Progress (4/2012) and (10/2009) 12

13 43 Million Without Paid Sick Days Source: National Compensation Survey: Employee Benefits (2014) 13

Paid Sick Time: Real People, Real Consequences It is difficult for people to afford the basics much less get ahead when employers fail to set a basic paid sick days standard.

14 Paid Sick Time: Real People, Real Consequences It is difficult for people to afford the basics much less get ahead when employers fail to set a basic paid sick days standard. 23 percent: Workers who have been threatened with job loss or lost a job for taking a sick day for themselves or a loved one. 3.5 days: Number of unpaid days off that jeopardize a family s monthly grocery budget. 14

15 Healthy Families Act (S. 497/H.R. 932) Would create the nation s first paid sick and safe days standard. Covers short-term leave: To care for oneself or a loved one (like a sick child) when illness strikes. Also covers safe leave for victims of domestic violence. Lead sponsors: Sen. Murray (WA) and Rep. DeLauro (CT) Applies to businesses with 15+ workers, those with fewer than 15 must provide job-protected unpaid time. 1 hour of sick time earned for every 30 hours worked Up to 7 days per year Job Protection: Employees cannot be fired or retaliated against for taking sick time 15

Paid Family and Medical Leave: Real People, Real Consequences I had surgery thanks to the FMLA, I kept my job, but I had to go back sooner than my doctor recommended because I couldn t afford to stay

16 Paid Family and Medical Leave: Real People, Real Consequences I had surgery thanks to the FMLA, I kept my job, but I had to go back sooner than my doctor recommended because I couldn t afford to stay out of work. Colorado worker, 2014 I ended up going back to work when my son was 8 weeks old because I couldn't afford unpaid leave with 2 children. Indiana worker, 2014 I had to leave the workforce in order to care for my aging, sick parents. I left employment before retirement age and was unable to successfully become employed again. Arkansas worker,

17 Family And Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act (S.786/H.R. 1439) Would create the nation s first paid family and medical leave standard. Covers longer-term leave: For birth/adoption, to care for a loved one, including aging parents, to address own serious health condition, and for military caregiving purposes. Sponsored by Sen. Gillibrand (NY) and Rep. DeLauro (CT) 12 weeks of partially paid leave annually Self-sustaining national insurance program Would apply regardless of employer size, part-time status or time on the job. Financed by minimal employee/employer contributions Cost to insure the average worker: about $1.50 per week in payroll deductions. 17

Paid Sick Days & Paid Family and Medical Leave: State/Local Action 30 jurisdictions with paid sick days, including five states Connecticut, California, Massachusetts (by ballot), Oregon and Vermont

18 Paid Sick Days & Paid Family and Medical Leave: State/Local Action 30 jurisdictions with paid sick days, including five states Connecticut, California, Massachusetts (by ballot), Oregon and Vermont have or will soon have a paid sick days law in effect. Three states with paid family and medical leave: California, New Jersey and Rhode Island. For current state and municipal paid sick days and paid family and medical leave laws and key data points visit our Family Friendly America page: NationalPartnership.org/FFA 18

Paid Sick Days and Paid Leave Have Broad Support Strong support for paid sick days and paid family leave across party and demographic lines 64 percent of voters: more likely to vote for

19 Paid Sick Days and Paid Leave Have Broad Support Strong support for paid sick days and paid family leave across party and demographic lines 64 percent of voters: more likely to vote for elected official who supports equal pay for women, paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave. Source: Lake Research/The Tarrance Group survey of 2014 election voters, November

20 Organizing Matters Sign-on letters to Congress Sign on to the coalition FAMILY Act and Healthy Families Act coalition letters to Congress and encourage partners to do the same. Organize state/local or constituency based sign-on letters to Congress. Keep the pressure on members of Congress Calls, letters, s & visits to congressional offices Keep the issues visible LTEs & op-eds Blogs & social media Share your story: visit NationalPartnership.org/LeaveStory. Educate your community Workroom conversations, house parties, community forums. 20

org Christine Sloane Field & Outreach Manager, Workplace Issues csloane@nationalpartnership.

21 Stay in touch Rachel Lyons Senior Government Affairs Manager, Workplace Issues Christine Sloane Field & Outreach Manager, Workplace Issues Follow us: Find us:

22 Domestic Violence Legislative Priorities: Reducing Domestic Violence Homicides Safe Leave Economic Security 22

23 Reducing Domestic Violence Homicides Since the successful reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 2013, YWCA USA is committed to addressing violence against women and girls through a renewed focus on domestic violence related domestic violence homicides 23

24 Reducing Domestic Violence Homicides Priority: Closing Loopholes to Reduce Fatalities 1. Enforcing current federal laws related to searching and seizing firearms from individuals charged with sexual and domestic violence offenses on the state level; 2. Expanding the definition of intimate partner to include dating partners; 3. Adding language that includes stalking as an extension of domestic violence and in turn prohibits convicted stalkers from purchasing or possessing firearms; and 4. Put temporary restriction orders on par with permanent restraining orders 24

25 Reducing Domestic Violence Homicides H.R. 2216: Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act Sponsor: Rep. Lous Capps (D-CA); 60 cosponsors Current Status: Introduced; YWCA USA endorsed Expands definition of intimate partner to include dating violence Makes temporary restraining orders on par with permanent restraining orders Adds language that includes stalking as an extension of domestic violence and prohibits convicted stalkers from purchasing and/or possessing guns. Field Engagement: Encouraging Members of Congress to co-sponsor the bill, particularly focusing on Republican Members 25

26 Reducing Domestic Violence Homicides S.2198: Domestic Violence Gun Homicide Prevention Act of 2015 Sponsor: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT); 6 co-sponsors Current Status: introduced; YWCA USA endorsed H.R. 3813: Domestic Violence Gun Homicide Prevention Act of 2015 Sponsor: Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI); 2 cosponsors Current Status: Introduced; YWCA USA endorsed Establishes a grant program at the state level to incentivize enforcement of firearms removal Field Engagement: Encouraging Members of Congress to co-sponsor the bills, particularly focusing on Republican Members 26

27 Reducing Domestic Violence Homicides S. 1520: Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act of 2015 Sponsor: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); 4 co-sponsors Current Status: introduced; YWCA USA has endorsed H.R. 3130: Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act Sponsor: Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL); 3 cosponsors Current Status: Introduced; YWCA USA endorsed Revises definition of intimate partner to include dating violence Adds language that includes stalking as an extension of domestic violence and prohibits convicted stalkers from purchasing and/or possessing guns Field Engagement: Encouraging Members of Congress to co-sponsor the bills, particularly focusing on Republican Members 27

28 Economic Empowerment: Safe Leave Why this matters Between 94-90% of domestic violence survivors have experienced some form of economic abuse, making it a particularly pervasive and crippling form of abuse. Domestic violence victims lose a total of 8 million days of paid work each year, and upwards of 60% of victims lose their jobs due to their abuse missing days at work to go to court, file police reports, seek medical attention, or due to the perpetrator harassing and/or stalking her at her work place. 28

29 Economic Empowerment: Safe Leave Priority: Enhancing safety and economic security for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. 1. Require employers to provide 30 days of unpaid leave in any 12-month period in order to seek medical attention, obtain legal assistance and counseling, seek assistance with safety planning from a domestic violence program, and participate in any legal proceedings pertaining to herself and/or a family member; 2. Prohibit employers from discriminating against employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or who use unpaid leave as a result of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking or because of actions of the perpetrator (i.e. stalking at the work place) 3. Prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against victims of violence due to their victimization status 4. Entitle survivors to unemployment benefits if they have to leave their jobs as a result of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking 29

30 Economic Empowerment: Safe Leave S.2208: The Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act of 2015 Sponsor: Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA); 14 co-sponsors Current Status: introduced; recommended for YWCA endorsement H.R.3841: The Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act of 2015 Sponsor: Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA); 36 cosponsors Current Status: Introduced; YWCA USA endorsed Employers must accommodate victims of domestic and sexual assault by allowing for 30 unpaid leave days in order to address basic needs: court visits; seeking medical attention; safety planning Insurance companies cannot discriminate against domestic and sexual violence survivors Employers cannot hold victimization status against an employee or the stalking and/or harassment of a perpetrator as cause to fire an employee Employers cannot fire an employee for the use of unpaid leave related to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking Field Engagement: Encouraging Members of Congress to co-sponsor the bills, particularly focusing on Republican Members 30

31 Announcements 2016 Virtual Lobby Day Anticipate activities May 31 June 3, and webinar May 4 Details soon! Advocacy Affinity Group Call: Thursday, April 7, 2:00 pm eastern 31

32 Stay connected! Share what you learn from your outreach in local communities by ing us: 32

33 Stay engaged! For the most updated list of bills YWCA USA is tracking, visit: 33

34 Upcoming Calls April 27 May 25 June 29 To connect: Online meeting room: Call in number: Passcode: All calls are at 3PM EST unless otherwise noted. 34

RACIAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS

RACIAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTRODUCTION YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women s organizations