As the idea of the modern family evolves into a broad spectrum of two-income households, single parents, and a million variations in between, there is an increasing national need for benefits that support better work-life balance. Many cities have acted fast to pass comprehensive paid leave legislation, but for some localities, questions remain around exactly how these laws will be paid for, implemented, and enforced.

Most of these new laws provide extensive provisions around parental leave (after the birth or adoption of a child), as well as caretaker leave for family members with a serious medical illness. In states where there is an actionable implementation plan in place, paid family leave will be jointly funded by contributions from both employees and employers. Several of these plans go into effect next year and have the potential to set off national paid leave reform.

We’ve rounded up the evolution of paid leave policies so far:

February 2016

Paid Leave Gaining Steam in New York

March 2016

VT Signs Paid Leave Law

April 2016

NY Passes Landmark Minimum Wage and Paid Leave Laws

SF to Require Fully Paid Family Leave

CA Boosts Paid Family Leave Benefits

June 2016

Paid Leave Scores Midwest Victory

Chicago OKs Paid Sick Leave

August 2016

Equal Pay, Paid Leave Enter Electoral Fray

DOL Pushes States to Study, Enact Paid Leave

April 2017

Washington DC Enacts Paid Leave, Questions Remain

May 2017

Minneapolis, Saint Paul Clarify Sick Leave Laws

President Trump Signals Support for Paid Leave

July 2017

Washington Passes New Paid Family Leave Law

New and improved paid leave legislation is sweeping the nation, so if your locality has yet to be impacted, now is the time to plan ahead. Revisit your company’s family leave policies to make sure you’re prepared for future changes.