The proposed bill aims to establish a paid parental leave pilot program in West Virginia, introducing a new article to the Code of West Virginia. It outlines the program's purpose, which is to support working families during significant life events such as the birth or adoption of a child. The bill defines key terms, including "employee," "employer," and "child," and specifies that eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave within a 12-month period for bonding with their child. The leave is in addition to any accrued annual or sick leave, and employees will receive 90% of their average weekly wage, capped at $1,000 per week.

Additionally, the bill mandates that employers maintain group health insurance coverage for employees on leave and ensures that employees retain their position and seniority upon returning. Employers are required to participate in annual surveys conducted by the Department of Labor, which will report findings to the Joint Committee on Government Organization. The bill also includes provisions for emergency rulemaking and establishes a sunset date of December 31, 2028, for the pilot program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 21-5J-1, 21-5J-2, 21-5J-3, 21-5J-4, 21-5J-5, 21-5J-6, 21-5J-7, 21-5J-8, 21-5J-9, 21-5J-10