The proposed bill establishes a paid parental leave program in Alaska, managed by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. It creates a new parental leave fund account, funded by a special employee contribution of 0.15% of wages. Employees can utilize this paid leave for various qualifying reasons, including caring for a newborn or adopted child, with leave durations ranging from eight to 26 weeks based on fund solvency. The bill outlines eligibility criteria, benefit amounts, and includes provisions for coordinating benefits with existing leave policies, protections against employer retaliation, and mandates for employers to inform employees of their rights. It also addresses child support obligations from paid leave benefits and emphasizes maintaining health insurance during leave.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Alaska Statutes related to employment assistance and parental leave funding. It introduces provisions for withholding federal income tax from paid parental leave and requires compliance with federal regulations. The bill modifies the employment assistance program account to include new funding sources and sets parameters for employer contributions. It also increases the weekly allowance for dependents and mandates annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. Furthermore, it expands the conditions under which child support can be withheld to include paid parental leave and establishes a commencement date for benefits starting January 1, 2027, along with a requirement for an actuarial study by December 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
HB0193A, AM HB 193, introduced 04/15/2025: 23.10.700, 23.10.795, 23.10.705, 23.10.710, 23.20.130, 23.20.175, 23.20.290, 37.10.050, 23.20.185, 23.20.275, 23.10.715, 23.10.720, 18.50.165, 23.10.725, 23.20.350, 23.10.730, 23.10.735, 23.10.740, U.S.C, 39.20.500, 39.20.550, 23.10.745, 23.10.750, 23.10.755, 43.23.140, 23.10.760, 23.10.765, 23.10.770, 23.10.775, 23.10.780, 23.10.785, 23.20.520, 23.20.525, 23.20.526, 25.27.020, 25.27.170, 25.27.025, 23.20.401, 25.27.165, 25.27.166, 25.27.060, 25.27.063, 47.07.025, 37.05.146
HB0193B, AM CSHB 193(L&C), introduced 05/07/2025: 23.10.700, 23.10.795, 23.10.705, 23.10.710, 23.20.290, 23.20.130, 23.20.175, 37.10.050, 23.20.185, 23.20.275, 23.10.715, 23.10.720, 18.50.165, 23.10.725, 23.20.350, 23.10.730, 23.10.780, 23.10.735, U.S.C, 39.20.500, 39.20.550, 23.10.740, 23.10.745, 23.10.750, 43.23.140, 23.10.755, 23.10.760, 23.10.765, 23.10.770, 23.10.775, 23.20.520, 23.20.525, 23.20.526, 23.15.625, 23.15.630, 23.15.620, 23.15.660, 25.27.020, 25.27.170, 25.27.025, 23.20.401, 25.27.165, 25.27.166, 25.27.060, 25.27.063, 47.07.025, 37.05.146