Story perspectives

Allegheny County Council Passes Paid Parental Leave Ordinance

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 3:39 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Allegheny Council Approves Leave

Allegheny County Council approved a countywide paid parental-leave ordinance by an 11-4 vote.
The ordinance requires employers with 15+ employees to provide at least 12 weeks paid leave.
Full-time employees qualify after six months of employment.
The policy covers birth, adoption, legal permanent placement and stillbirths in the first 12 months.
County Executive Sara Innamorato will sign the ordinance, the first county-level paid parental-leave law, effective in one year.

Summary

Employers Forecast Costs

Employers must fund up to $4,200 weekly paid leave at full wages without state subsidies.
Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce survey shows 83% of employers believe the policy will hurt business.
55% of surveyed employers say they would increase prices.
40% of surveyed employers expect to hire fewer full-time workers.
32% of business owners might relocate operations outside Allegheny County because of the leave requirement.

1 of 2

Allegheny Council Approves Leave

Allegheny County Council approved a countywide paid parental-leave ordinance by an 11-4 vote.
The ordinance requires employers with 15+ employees to provide at least 12 weeks paid leave.
Full-time employees qualify after six months of employment.
The policy covers birth, adoption, legal permanent placement and stillbirths in the first 12 months.
County Executive Sara Innamorato will sign the ordinance, the first county-level paid parental-leave law, effective in one year.

1 / 2