Among the social workers who were solicited for response on this bill, that was an issue they brought up—the fact that if a child does die, they'd have to go back to work the next week, and the benefits are extended. There was consideration to ask the committee, in the implementation of this bill, to be open to the experience of families and to see if amendments needed to be made. I think the amendments in the front end would be appreciated, but if in the roll-out the experience of families could be reflected in the grieving period—probably a week or two would be compassionate—it would be very much appreciated by front-line social workers, families, and children.
On October 25th, 2012. See this statement in context.