Cahill Calls For 12-Week Maternity Leave Law

Independent gubernatorial candidate Timothy Cahill is calling for a new state law to guarantee mothers in the Bay State 12 weeks of maternity leave.

Cahill's announcement Friday follows the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's ruling Monday that mothers are only assured eight weeks of unpaid leave under a 1972 state law.

Cahill, the state's treasurer, said the 1972 law is outdated and as governor he would file and sign legislation extending the guaranteed period to 12 weeks to align the state with federal standards.

Cahill says medical evidence has shown eight weeks is not enough time for a mother to recover physically from childbirth.

Cahill is competing against Democrat and current Gov. Deval Patrick, Republican Charles Baker and Green-Rainbow candidate Jill Stein.