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 for twelve consecutive months were entitled to thirteen weeks of leave within any two calendar years. The bill proposes to extend this entitlement to twenty-six weeks of leave within the same period. The notice period for the commencement and termination of the leave remains at thirty days unless a medical emergency prevents such notice.

Additionally, the bill addresses situations where an employer provides paid leave. If the paid leave is less than the newly proposed twenty-six weeks, the remaining time up to twenty-six weeks may be taken as unpaid leave. Employers are also permitted to request written certification from a physician to specify the probable duration of the leave required by the employee. The bill is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7793: 28-48-2