Substitute House Bill No. 5165 proposes to amend sections 31-51rr(a) and (b) of the general statutes to expand family and medical leave benefits to noncertified school employees in Connecticut, effective October 1, 2024. The bill reduces the work hour requirement from 1,250 to 950 hours over the previous twelve months for these employees, which includes cafeteria workers, janitorial staff, administrative support staff, and security staff, to qualify for unpaid family and medical leave benefits. Additionally, the bill changes the term "school paraprofessional" to "paraeducator" for consistency with other education laws. The fiscal impact statement suggests minimal costs to local and regional school districts starting in FY 25 due to this change.

The bill also includes insertions that clarify the coverage of all political subdivisions under the FMLA, define eligibility criteria, specify the amount and types of leave available, and outline the rights to health benefits and job reinstatement after leave. The types of leave have been expanded to cover situations involving a military member of the employee's immediate family. The Labor and Public Employees Committee has given the bill a Joint Favorable Substitute recommendation with a unanimous vote.