The bill amends the Early Childhood Education and Care Fund to include appropriations for parental leave compensation and establishes the Paid Parental Leave Act, which creates a Supplemental Paid Parental Leave Fund. This fund will provide eligible employees and self-employed individuals with a percentage of their wages to support bonding with a new child, offering up to six weeks of paid parental leave and an additional three weeks of supplemental leave compensation. The Workforce Solutions Department will manage the program, including the collection of contributions from participants. The bill also emphasizes the confidentiality of applicants' information and outlines specific eligibility criteria and documentation requirements.

Starting January 1, 2028, employees will be entitled to a total of nine weeks of parental and supplemental leave within any application year. Employers are required to provide notice and documentation for leave, cannot reduce other leave entitlements due to parental leave, and must maintain health insurance coverage during the leave period. The bill includes protections against interference and retaliation for employees exercising their rights, establishes appeal procedures for adverse determinations, and preempts local governments from enacting conflicting leave policies. The Department is tasked with implementing the Act by July 1, 2026, with input from a newly created advisory committee.

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