Blake Emmanuel Testifies on the Small Necessities Leave Act at Pennsylvania Democratic Senate Hearing

On January 20, 2026 The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Committee recently convened a public hearing at Penn State Abington to examine the Small Necessities Leave Act, proposed legislation that would provide workers with up to 20 hours of job-protected leave to address urgent personal and family needs.

Among those invited to testify was Blake Emmanuel, Director of Advocacy and Policy at The Fund for Women and Girls, Chester County. Emmanuel shared testimony highlighting how the absence of accessible workplace leave disproportionately impacts women, caregivers, and low-wage workers often forcing families to choose between maintaining employment and meeting essential caregiving responsibilities.

Emmanuel emphasized that even limited, job-protected leave can play a critical role in helping women remain attached to the workforce, protect their economic stability, and reduce long-standing inequities that contribute to the gender wage gap. Her testimony underscored that workplace policies must reflect the realities of modern families and caregiving demands.

The hearing also featured testimony from a range of experts and advocates who reinforced the importance of the proposed legislation, including:

• Penn State University Abington, offering economic and labor policy insights

• Children First, speaking to family economic stability

• SEIU Local 668, representing public sector workers and caregivers

• Community Legal Services, addressing legal and equity considerations for low-income workers.

  
  

Together, speakers illustrated how Pennsylvania currently lags behind neighboring states in providing workplace leave protections — and how the Small Necessities Leave Act could help close that gap while supporting workers, employers, and families alike.

The Fund for Women and Girls remains committed to advancing policies that center women’s economic security, caregiving realities, and overall wellbeing. Blake Emmanuel’s testimony reflects the organization’s ongoing advocacy to ensure that no one has to risk their livelihood to care for themselves or their loved ones.

🎥 The full hearing and testimony are available to watch here.