Paid Sick Leave and Maltreatment

Child maltreatment is a major public health concern in the United States. Maltreatment is associated with a range of poor health, developmental, and economic outcomes for child victims. In this study, we examine the impact of recent state paid sick leave mandates on child maltreatment reports over the period 2011-2022. Paid sick leave mandates confer financially protected time that can be used for health and family responsibilities as well as for actions such as court hearings that can reduce exposure to domestic violence. These benefits may also reduce maltreatment reports. Using difference-in-differences and event-study methods, we find that child maltreatment reports decline by 11% following the adoption of a state paid sick leave mandate. An analysis of mechanisms suggests that increases in parental and child health, family economic standing, childcare provision, and healthcare are important channels linking paid sick leave mandates to child maltreatment reports.