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Nebraska Senator Proposes Paid Leave for Family Caregivers

elderly-living-aloneLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska senator says families should not have to sacrifice financial stability to provide in-home care for loved ones.

Sen. Sue Crawford of Bellevue announced Friday she will introduce legislation to support Nebraska’s voluntary caregivers.

One measure would allow employees to purchase paid sick leave through the Department of Labor for up to eight consecutive weeks if caring for a sick family member or up to 12 weeks for a mother who has given birth.

The group Voices for Children says the state should support families as a critical part of the health care system.

The second would require hospitals to give detailed instructions and demonstrations for in-home care to a designated caregiver before the patient is discharged. The bill is backed by Nebraska AARP.

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