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5/6/2025
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Press conference with advocates spotlights Rep. Giraldo bill to increase taxable wage base for TDI
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 STATE HOUSE —Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls) was joined today by advocates from the Economic Progress Institute and Rhode Island Paid Family Leave Coalition to spotlight his legislation that would strengthen the state’s paid family leave program.
The bill (2025-H 6066) would include siblings, grandchildren and care recipients in the coverage for temporary caregiver benefits. It would also increase the taxable wage base upon which employees make contributions to the temporary disability insurance and temporary caregiver insurance funds, increase individual benefit rates for lower wage individuals and create an opt-in for self-employed workers.
Similar legislation (2025-S 0974) has been introduced in the Senate by Senate President Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence).
“No one should ever have to choose between their job and their family,” said Representative Giraldo. “By increasing the wage reimbursement up to 85 percent, and adding other family members to the eligibility, we can help ease the burden of those who have to care for loved ones. I know from my own experience as a father of a daughter born prematurely that the gift of time that TCI provides is priceless. Independent contractors and gig workers should be included in that, and the current system, which includes an almost 40% cut in weekly wages is just not manageable for many families.”
Many organizations, including the Service Employees International Union, the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families, AARP Rhode Island, and Rhode Island Kids Count, testified in favor of the legislation when it was heard by the House Labor Committee.
Representative Giraldo and President Lawson have been at the forefront of temporary caregiver reform. Last year, the two legislators sponsored a law (2024-S 2121Aaa, 2024-H 7171Aaa) to expand the TCI program from six weeks to eight, allowing new parents more time for parental leave and caregivers more time to care for a critically ill family member.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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