TRENTON, New Jersey (Bloomberg) — New Jersey, set to become the second US state to mandate paid family leave, should delay the start of the program for two years to help businesses and workers struggling with a slowing economy, Republican lawmakers say.

Assembly members Scott Rudder and Dawn Marie Addiego introduced legislation yesterday to postpone implementation of the leave program, which is set to take effect in January.

Another 13 Assembly Republicans signed on as co-sponsors of the bill. Democrats control both houses of the state Legislature.

New Jersey's family leave legislation, which will require employers to give workers up to six weeks of paid time off a year to care for a newborn, adopted child or sick relative, was signed by Democratic Governor Jon Corzine in May after lawmakers passed the measure along party lines.