Create Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits
| Category: | Wage and Labor |
|---|---|
| Status: | Defeated |
| Sponsor: | Representative Sara Gideon, House 106 |
| Session: | 129 |
| Bill #: | LD 1410 |
Position:
Monitoring.
UPDATE 5/31/19: The bill has been carried over to 2020.
Summary:
This bill establishes a paid family and medical leave benefits program administered by the Department of Labor. The program provides up to 12 weeks of family leave and up to 20 weeks of medical leave to eligible covered individuals. No more than 20 weeks of family leave and medical leave in the aggregate may be taken in a 12-month period. An individual is eligible for leave under the program after working 26 weeks or more for any employer in the 12 months prior to submitting an application or if the individual is self-employed and has elected to be part of the program.
The maximum weekly benefit amount is capped at 100% of the state average weekly wage. The weekly benefit amount is 90% of the portion of the covered individual's average weekly wage that is equal to or less than 50% of the state average weekly wage and 67% of the portion of the covered individual's average weekly wage that is more than 50% of the state average weekly wage.
Covered individuals are required to file claims for benefits in accordance with rules adopted by the department and to provide certification that they qualify for family leave or medical leave.
This bill establishes the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund to support the program. The funds for administrative costs and payment of benefits will come from payroll contributions by employees.
The bill requires payroll contributions to begin January 1, 2021, and benefits will be paid out beginning January 1, 2022.