The bill amends the Rhode Island Parental and Family Medical Leave Act by increasing the amount of parental or family leave an employee is entitled to. Previously, employees who had been employed by the same employer for twelve consecutive months were entitled to thirteen weeks of leave. The bill proposes to extend this entitlement to twenty-four consecutive workweeks of parental leave or family leave in any two calendar years. Employees are required to give at least thirty days' notice before commencing leave, unless a medical emergency prevents them from doing so.

The bill also addresses situations where an employer provides paid parental or family leave for less than the newly proposed twenty-four weeks. In such cases, the additional weeks of leave required to reach the total of twenty-four weeks may be unpaid. Employers may request written certification from a physician to specify the probable duration of the employee's leave. The act would take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2467: 28-48-2