AARP Georgia Announces Introduction of Family Care Act in Georgia House of Representatives

On January 26, Representative Tommy Benton (R-31), Chairman of the Human Relations & Aging Committee, introduced HB 92, The Family Care Act, with co-sponsorship from Representatives Matt Hatchett (R-150), Katie Dempsey (R-13), Margaret Kaiser (D-59), and Sharon Cooper (R-43). AARP volunteers from Augusta joined the AARP staff and local caregiving agency partners in support of HB 92.

The Family Care Act (HB 92) is critical to Georgia’s working population as it would allow employees to use their earned sick leave to care for loved ones.  This legislation will also reduce health risks and control taxpayer-funded health costs without requiring employers to provide any additional sick days.

“AARP lends its continued and unequivocal support to this initiative,” said Melissa Sinden, Associate State Director-Advocacy, AARP Georgia. “Caregivers in Georgia work tirelessly to ensure that their loved ones receive the care they need. They deserve workplace flexibility which affords them the ability to use their earned time off to meet their care responsibilities without losing income – or their employment.”

Reports say 48% of family caregivers who have to take time off to meet their care responsibilities lose income. Nationwide, 23% of workers have lost a job or have been threatened with job loss for taking time to care for a personal or family illness. The Family Care Act would provide greater flexibility for Georgians and help keep working people in their jobs.