[parent2b]

I personally believe that maternity leave was classified incorrectly as short term disability. I think for healing purposes time off should be allowed for the pregnancy. I think it's about time our society decided whether or not we allow any paid maternal or paternal leave (Canada does!) and whether we as a society value that bonding time and wish that a portion of our taxes goes toward that. I'm not saying that I think parents should get a year of paid leave, I just think the issue has to be looked at completely and totally separately from medical leave. If the purpose of maternity leave is for medical reasons (ie:short term disability) then when a mother is "well" again, she should go back to work. I'm a proponent of a wholly separate law that pays for parental-child bonding time off. I don't know what the "right" length of time is, but I'd rather see legislation in that direction than trying to modify the short term disability laws which don't really apply to "bonding" time anyway. Just my 2 cents.