The Bill was introduced by Mrs Dodds when she was Minister for the Economy. Last week, it passed the Further Consideration Stage and today it passed it's Final Stage of the legislative process.
Commenting on the development, Mrs Dodds said:
“I am delighted that the Bill for Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay has passed the Final Stage in the Assembly.”
“The trauma of losing a child is impossible to overstate, and it is completely understandable that working parents who experience such a bereavement will need the compassion and support of a caring employer.”
“This Bill is a vital step towards ensuring that- on a statutory basis, employees who suffer the loss of a child under the age of eighteen, or a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy, or a miscarriage will have two weeks’ leave be entitled to a statutory payment.”
“This will bring Northern Ireland in line with similar measures in place in Great Britain and provide an important statutory safety net for working parents who suffer such a profound loss.”
“I will continue to advocate for this Bill and on behalf of all those bereaved parents who have suffered immensely.”