This bill amends the General Laws regarding Temporary Disability Insurance Benefits, specifically focusing on the weekly benefit rates and dependents allowances. It introduces new language stating that no employer shall require an employee to utilize accrued sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, or other paid time off as a condition of eligibility for, or receipt of, maternity leave benefits. An employee may elect to use accrued leave concurrently with temporary disability insurance benefits but is not required to do so.

Additionally, the bill establishes that an employer may require an employee to use accrued vacation leave or other paid time off concurrently with temporary caregiver insurance benefits. However, an employer shall not require an employee to exhaust accrued sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, or other paid time off as a condition of taking temporary caregiver insurance leave or receiving benefits under this chapter. Employees may choose to use accrued leave to supplement wage replacement benefits.

The bill also includes provisions for dependents allowances and specifies that an employee cannot file for both temporary caregiver and temporary disability benefits for the same purpose concurrently. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7561: 28-41-5, 28-41-35