A new proposal is taking shape to give Nevada workers access to paid family medical leave.

The new plan would give all workers 12 paid weeks off for qualifying events, such as taking care of a new baby or a sick family member. It would be managed by the state and modeled after the system recently passed in Colorado.

Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch, D-Washoe County, said right now, many Nevadans only get unpaid family medical leave, if they get any at all.

“Folks are having to choose between taking care of their newborn or going back to work and earning a paycheck, having to choose between taking time to care for a family member and earning the money to pay rent,” La Rue Hatch said.

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Currently, only state employees get eight weeks of guaranteed paid family medical leave.

Last June, Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed a bill that would have extended paid family medical leave to workers at companies with more than 50 employees, saying the bill would “severely disrupt the economic stability of business across Nevada.”

Attorney General Aaron Ford, who is running against Lombardo in November, supports paid family medical leave.

Andrew Clarke, policy manager for the nonprofit Battle Born Progress, said small businesses would benefit as turnover rates improve.

“One of the biggest business expenses right now in the state of Nevada is turnover, and having to spend roughly about 24% of a worker's salary just on training alone. So small businesses would see that relief,” Clarke said.

Last year’s bill would have covered 1 million Nevadans.

The new proposal doubles down and would cover an estimated 2 million workers. It will be introduced when the next legislative session begins in February.