I believe firmly that government works when it listens. I can’t think of a better example than a quiet decision this spring from a little-known state agency.
The Department of Human Resources functions almost entirely behind the scenes, running the nuts and bolts of the state’s massive personnel system.
Since 2019, DHR has also managed the state’s parental-leave program, a groundbreaking initiative that helps families of all types when they are joined by a child, either via birth or via adoption, giving state employees up to 12 weeks’ paid leave for that ever-important bonding time. The program was a resounding success in its first year, with more than 1,100 state and school employees getting more time to spend with their families.
Time early on is particularly crucial for families formed by adoption. Children may face challenges ranging from medical to social, and having unfettered time to establish a foundation of loving trust is vital.
But until April, adoptive parents could only use leave after the adoption was legally finalized by a court. That process can take many months to complete, all after a child has already become part of the family. (Our family’s twins did not have their adoption finalized through the courts for nine months.) The state’s original policy denied adoptive parents the ability to bond with their child full time and worry-free at a critical period, creating a huge gap between families by adoption and families by birth.
Under new Secretary Amy Bonner, DHR moved quickly to address this problem when it was brought to her attention in January. Now, eligible state employees who adopt can use parental leave immediately and not have to wait until the court’s formal signoff.
One of the primary factors that legislators cited in creating the parental-leave program was supporting a family with a newborn infant — establishing parent-child bonds, breastfeeding and allowing infants to develop stronger immune systems prior to entering child care. The state’s new policy matches the legislative intent, and DHR should be praised for its quick and effective action.
But work still remains. First, the new policy only applies to executive branch agencies. Other state agencies are not covered by the change and have to update their policies one by one. Attorney General Kathleen Jennings, Treasurer Colleen Davis, Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro and the House of Representatives have all already mirrored the new policy for their employees, while the judiciary is looking into it.
The other agencies, including our many school districts and charter schools, should adopt the changes promptly and publicly in recognition of the importance of this program for Delaware families. It takes only a few additional sentences, and DHR has already done the work for them with its new policy language.
And secondly, next year, should the General Assembly pass and Gov. John Carney sign Sen. Sarah McBride’s, D-Wilmington, Senate Bill 1 — providing paid family leave to all Delaware workers — the Department of Labor will have to carefully and deliberately draft the implementing regulations to ensure equitable treatment that strengthens all Delaware families.
At this stage in American working life, parental leave is no longer a mere employee “fringe benefit” but an essential, expected and important part of what all employers should provide to their employees.
Those who do not adopt such programs deserve to be asked pointedly why not. Those who adopt such programs and then ignore equal leave for adoptive families are not making a decision about employee benefits but are rather making a clear public-policy choice to favor some types of families over others. This is simply wrong and utterly unconscionable.
Thankfully, due to the work of leaders and public servants like Secretary Bonner, it is easily corrected.
Dan Shortridge of Camden is the father of three and a former state government and school district communications official.
