The "More Paid Leave for More Americans Act" establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Labor. This program provides funding to states that have enacted laws creating paid family leave programs. To be eligible, states must also participate in the newly established Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (I-PLAN). Priority for grants will be given to states with lower existing access to paid leave, those planning for non-federal financing, and programs serving low-income populations.

Qualifying state paid family leave programs must, at a minimum, provide 6 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. The weekly maximum benefit is set at 150% of the state's average weekly wage. Benefit amounts are calculated based on employee earnings, with lower-income individuals receiving a higher percentage of their wages, up to 67%. States must establish a "covered partnership" with private entities and a financing mechanism, and they can allow employers to self-administer benefits if they meet or exceed state requirements.

Grant funds can be utilized for various purposes, including program startup costs, direct benefit payments for birth or adoption, program design, software acquisition, technical assistance, and extensive outreach to employers and the public. Grant amounts range from $1.5 million to $7 million, with the Secretary considering factors such as the state's working population size, birth rate, and the proportion of low-income individuals. States are required to report annually on fund usage and the number of individuals utilizing paid family leave benefits.

Title II of the bill establishes the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (I-PLAN), designed to support and incentivize the creation of an interstate agreement. The I-PLAN's primary goals are to streamline benefit delivery, reduce administrative burdens, and coordinate and harmonize state paid family leave programs. Each participating state will designate a "State focal" to lead its efforts within the network and communicate with stakeholders.

The I-PLAN is tasked with producing a publicly available interstate agreement that includes single policy standards and administrative standards for all participating states. Policy standards will define terms like benefit day, base period, and employee eligibility, while administrative standards will cover processes for employer information verification, notice requirements, and payroll contributions. A national intermediary will receive a grant to facilitate I-PLAN activities, including organizing meetings, conducting outreach, and developing a standardized, interoperable technology system for wage data.

The bill also provides two types of grants to states related to I-PLAN: "conforming grants" for good faith participation and "implementation grants" for states that adopt the I-PLAN Agreement. These grants, ranging from $1.5 million to $8 million, are allocated based on a state's relative annual employment level. States can use these funds to cover administrative costs, such as customer service, technology, and data sharing, and to assist small businesses with payroll contributions or technical support. Appropriations are authorized for these grants and the national intermediary for fiscal years 2026 through 2028.