House Bill No. 3059 proposes the establishment of a paid parental leave program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission, which will be known as the Texas Family Fund Program. The bill introduces Chapter 320 to the Labor Code, defining key terms such as "employee," "employer," and "program." It outlines eligibility criteria for employees to receive paid parental leave, which includes provisions for 40 days of leave for the birth of a child by the employee and 20 days for other related circumstances, such as the birth of a child by a spouse or adoption. The bill also specifies that employees are entitled to leave only once within a 12-month period and must take it within a year of the child's birth or adoption.

Additionally, the bill mandates employer contributions to fund the program, requiring employers to pay 0.15 percent of wages for eligible employees during each calendar quarter. Employers with fewer than 50 employees may voluntarily participate in the program. The Texas Family Fund will consist of these contributions, interest earned, and other funds, with benefits payable only to the extent that money is available in the fund. The Texas Workforce Commission is tasked with establishing the program by January 1, 2026, and the provisions of the bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, with paid leave available starting January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()