New Jersey already allows parents to take sick leave to attend events at their children’s schools. Now the state could be offering them even more time at the taxpayers’ expense.

“Time goes by so quick when kids are in school,” the lawmaker behind S172, Vincent Polistina, a state senator, says.

The state already requires companies to allow parents to use up to 40 hours of paid sick leave to attend conferences, meetings, or events in schools. The new proposal would add two more days but give companies a tax credit to cover the employees’ wages.

The Jersey Shore Republican wants parents to attend more of their children’s extra-curricular activities. “We need to encourage the involvement of our parents in their children’s education,” Mr. Polistina says. “The more they are involved, the greater the potential of success for the student.”

Democrat Teresa Ruiz is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan legislation. The new program would be voluntary for businesses, but if they chose not to offer the time off they would miss out on the tax credit.

The New Jersey Business and Industry Association says the idea has its support because the program is optional.

The director of New Jersey Citizen Action, Dena Jaborska, is against the bill in its current form and says it’s redundant. “It’s confusing to create another layer of policy,” Ms. Jaborska told NJ.com. She suggests simply amending the state’s sick leave law to add in the extra time off.

The bill is in a senate committee but has not been slated for a vote. A similar bill has been introduced in the state assembly.