The bill proposes the establishment of a Paid Parental Leave Pilot Program in West Virginia, aimed at providing state employees with paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. It outlines that eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave within a 12-month period, with benefits amounting to 90% of their average weekly wage, capped at $1,000 per week. The program also mandates that employers maintain group health insurance coverage for employees during their leave and ensures that employees retain their employment benefits and seniority upon returning to work. The bill includes provisions for filing claims, employer responsibilities, and the creation of a special revenue account to fund the program.

Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Labor to conduct annual surveys of employers regarding the program's implementation and to report findings to the Joint Committee on Government Organization. It grants the department emergency rulemaking authority to facilitate the program's execution and establishes a sunset date of December 31, 2029, for the pilot program. The legislation aims to assess the impact of paid parental leave on employee retention, productivity, and overall family well-being.

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