(a) Strong families are the foundation for a productive and competitive state. There are a growing number of single-parent families where the sole parent works and two-parent families where both parents work. Most people who work while raising families do so out of economic necessity.

(b) Leave from employment for the birth or adoption of a child or to care for a seriously ill family member addresses one of the important needs of changing family structures. The support of families is a principle recognized and valued by the State of Vermont. When employees have security about their employment and the well-being of their children, parents, and other family members, businesses benefit economically from increased worker productivity and stability.

(c) The provisions of this subchapter are enacted in recognition of the fact that both employers and employees benefit from the establishment of parental and family leave as a condition of employment. (Added 1991, No. 260 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)