HB477 Summary

• Provides 12 workweeks of paid parental leave to certified and noncertified employees of local boards of education who have been employed for at least 5 years, beginning January 1, 2025.

• Covers leave following birth, adoption placement, miscarriage, or stillbirth (with written health care professional confirmation for miscarriage/stillbirth), to be used within 12 months of the qualifying event.

• Requires employers to maintain compensation and health care coverage at the same level as if the employee remained at work, and prohibits loss of accrued benefits.

• Allows employers to recover health plan premiums if an employee fails to return to work within 2 years of commencing parental leave.

• Requires the State Board of Education and each local board of education to adopt rules and policies for implementation; bill requires 2/3 legislative vote or local approval to become effective due to increased local expenditure requirements.