The bill H.33 aims to enhance access to unpaid family and medical leave in Vermont, providing job protection for employees who need time off due to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, bereavement, and qualifying exigencies. It seeks to remove barriers for LGBTQ+ families in accessing caregiving leave and introduces new reporting requirements to assess the impact of these changes. The General Assembly's intent is to align Vermont's family leave policies with inclusive and equitable standards, ensuring that all families, particularly those from nontraditional and low-income backgrounds, can access caregiving leave without undue burden.

Key amendments in the bill include the introduction of definitions for bereavement leave, domestic partner, safe leave, and qualifying exigency, while also modifying existing definitions and eligibility criteria for employees and employers. The bill allows for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for safe leave and bereavement leave, with provisions for employees to use accrued paid leave during their time off. It emphasizes confidentiality regarding medical information and documentation requirements, enhances protections for vulnerable employees, and establishes that collective bargaining agreements cannot diminish the rights provided under this subchapter. Additionally, it introduces short-term family leave for specific family-related activities and mandates the Commissioner of Labor to track and report leave usage, focusing on diverse family structures. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 21-471, 21-472, 21-472a, 21-472c