In 2014, three states offered a paid family leave program. As of early 2026, 13 states and Washington D.C. have voted mandatory paid leave into law. Just this year, Delaware and Minnesota launched new paid family leave programs. Maine’s program begins May 1st of this year, Maryland’s program begins in 2007, and Virginia is on track to launch paid family leave in 2029.
That's a lot of progress in just a few short years, but we still have a long way to go.
Here are three actions you can take to advocate for better parental leave in your state:
1. Call Your State Representatives
Legislative offices track constituent contacts, and phone calls have real impact. A 10-minute call matters.
Go to Open States, enter your address, and save your state senator and representative's office phone numbers.
What to say: "Hi, my name is [Name] and I'm a constituent from [City/Zip Code]. I'm calling to ask [Representative's Name] to support paid family leave legislation in [State]. This matters to me because [one sentence]. I'd like the representative to co-sponsor bills that create or expand paid family leave. Thank you."
When to call: Most state legislative sessions run January through May or June. Call when a bill is introduced, when it's in committee, and before floor votes. You can call multiple times during a session.
Already have paid leave in your state? Call anyway. California started at 55% wage replacement and improved to 70-90% because people kept advocating. For parents welcoming a child into their family in 2026, that benefit increase means thousands more in paid benefits. Advocate for higher rates, longer duration, expanded eligibility, and better job protections.
2. Support Paid Leave Advocacy Organizations
Organized groups like Paid Leave for All, A Better Balance, National Partnership for Women & Families, and MomsRising draft bills, organize testimony, and coordinate campaigns across all 50 states.
Search "[Your State] paid family leave coalition" to find local groups. State coalitions know your legislature's landscape and tell you exactly when to call and what to say.
Ways to support: Sign up for email lists, participate in call-in days, submit testimony, or share content on social media.
3. Share Your Story Strategically
Legislators remember constituent stories. Personal narratives increase support for paid leave across political lines.
Where to share: Legislative testimony, op-eds and local media, social media (tag representatives), or when calling representatives.
What makes stories effective: Concrete details ("I returned to work three weeks postpartum"), financial impact ("We went into $8,000 of debt"), policy connection ("If the program covered 90% of wages, I could have taken full leave"), and a clear ask ("I support increasing the benefit rate to 80%").
The 2026 Landscape
Delaware and Minnesota launched new paid family leave programs on Jan. 1, 2026. Maine's program begins May 1st of this year. Maryland's program begins in 2007 and Virginia is on track to launch a program in 2029.
Each year, every state's reevaluates their maximum benefit and it often increases. California's 2026 maximum weekly benefit rose to $1,765 2026 from $1,681 in 2025.
Moving From Awareness to Action
Every state with a paid family leave program has it because people advocated. You don't need to become a full-time activist, spend 10 minutes calling your representatives, sign up for one advocacy organization's email list, or share your story once. These small actions, multiplied across thousands of constituents, create political will for policy change.
The states launching new programs in 2026 prove that change is possible. Your state could be next.
Navigating the System You Have Right Now
While you're advocating for better policy, you still need to maximize the benefits available to you today. If you live or work in California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, or DC, Hello Bundle can help you get more time off and more pay.
We offer a free 30-minute Parental Leave Group Info Call where we walk through:
- What Hello Bundle does and what's included in our Parental Leave Bundles
- How we help you get more time off and more pay
- Real examples of how we've helped parents just like you
This call is perfect if you're thinking about booking a parental leave consultation but not quite sure if it's the right fit, or you're just looking for more info on how we help. Whether you're pregnant, planning, or already navigating leave, we'll answer your questions and show you how we can support you every step of the way. RSVP for our next call here.
