On May 13, 2026, the Allegheny County Health Department proposed amendments to Article XXIV of its Rules and Regulations that would significantly expand paid leave obligations for employers in Allegheny County. If adopted, the proposal would require covered employers to provide eligible employees with up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave and to comply with broader paid sick leave requirements.

If enacted, Allegheny County would become the first county in Pennsylvania to mandate paid parental leave for private employers. The proposal is currently in a public comment period and could move toward adoption later this year.

What is it? 

The proposed amendments would add a new “Paid Parental Leave” chapter to the County’s regulations. Under the proposal, eligible employees would be entitled to up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child.

Who would be eligible?

The proposed regulation would allow employees to qualify for paid parental leave if they:

• have worked for the employer for at least 30 days;
• submit a claim related to the birth or adoption of a child; and
• provide supporting documentation required by the employer.

The proposal would allow spouses or domestic partners who both work for the same employer to take paid parental leave, including at the same time.

It defines “Parental Leave” broadly to include leave used to care for and bond with a child during the first 18 months after birth or placement for adoption.

What benefits would be required?

Employers would have to provide paid parental leave at the employee’s regular base rate of pay and maintain the same benefits the employee would have received while actively working.

The proposal also would:

• require employers to make an initial payment no later than one week after the employee submits a claim or begins leave;
• allow employees to take leave intermittently or on a reduced schedule;
• require employers to restore employees to the same or an equivalent position after leave; and
• prohibit retaliation or adverse action against employees who request or take leave.

Importantly, the proposal expressly states that leave taken under the regulation that also qualifies under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) would run concurrently with FMLA leave.

Are there any other changes? 

In addition to the proposed parental leave mandate, the amendments would materially expand Allegheny County’s existing paid sick leave requirements.

Key proposed changes include:

• reducing the large-employer threshold from 26 employees to 15 employees;
• increasing the annual paid sick leave accrual cap for employers with 15 or more employees from 40 hours to 72 hours; and
• requiring employers with fewer than 15 employees to provide up to 48 hours of paid sick leave annually.

The proposed amendments also would increase the accrual rate to one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

What happens next?

The proposed amendments are subject to a 30-day public comment period ending June 16, 2026. A public hearing before the Allegheny County Board of Health is scheduled for June 2, 2026.

If approved, the paid parental leave provisions would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Recommended next steps for employers

• Identify employees and operations in Allegheny County that may be covered by the proposal.
• Review parental leave, paid sick leave, PTO, FMLA, benefits continuation, reinstatement, notice, and recordkeeping practices for potential updates.
• Estimate the operational and financial impact of providing up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave and higher paid sick leave accruals.
• Monitor the public comment process and any revisions before final adoption.
• Consider whether to submit comments by June 16, 2026, or participate in the June 2, 2026, public hearing.