Substitute Senate Bill No. 1427 seeks to expand the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program in Connecticut to include employees of local and regional boards of education, as well as nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, specifically targeting non-certified positions. The bill introduces new definitions, such as "covered public employee," which now explicitly includes non-certified school employees, and broadens the eligibility criteria for family and medical leave benefits. It also modifies the requirements for qualifying for job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), allowing these employees to qualify based on employment over the previous 12 months rather than the three months immediately preceding the leave. Key insertions include provisions for the allocation of contributions to the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund and the establishment of a secure website for public information.

Additionally, the bill repeals and replaces Section 31-49h, outlining the responsibilities of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Authority, which is tasked with adopting operational guidelines and ensuring transparency in program management. The bill emphasizes the importance of confidentiality in medical records and allows for the use of state administrative data to improve program delivery. It also mandates the Labor Department to enforce compliance with the new provisions and requires the Labor Commissioner to adopt regulations specifically for paraeducators. The changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and are expected to have a significant fiscal impact on local and regional school districts due to costs associated with hiring temporary staff during employee leave.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 31-49e
LAB Joint Favorable Substitute: 31-49e, 31-49h, 31-51kk, 31-51rr
File No. 542: 31-49e, 31-49h, 31-51kk, 31-51rr