The proposed Paid Parental Leave Act aims to provide paid parental leave compensation to eligible employees and self-employed individuals in New Mexico. It amends the Early Childhood Education and Care Fund to allow appropriations for parental leave compensation and establishes the Supplemental Paid Parental Leave Fund. Eligible individuals can receive up to six weeks of leave compensation, with an additional three weeks available through the supplemental program, funded by employee contributions. The bill outlines eligibility criteria, compensation calculations based on average weekly wages, documentation requirements, and confidentiality of applicant information. It also preempts similar programs and creates a temporary advisory committee to oversee the Act's implementation.

Starting January 1, 2028, employees will be entitled to a total of nine weeks of combined parental leave, with protections against reductions in other leave entitlements and requirements for maintaining health insurance coverage during the leave period. Employers must inform employees of their rights under the Act and are prohibited from retaliating against those who exercise their rights. The bill also establishes procedures for appealing adverse determinations related to leave applications and clarifies that local governments cannot create conflicting leave policies. Additionally, it ensures that collective bargaining agreements remain unaffected and mandates the creation of a Paid Parental Leave Implementation Advisory Committee to assist in developing rules related to the Act, with an initial rules deadline set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 9-29A-1