HB 2461 Summary

• Establishes a family and medical leave insurance program in Arizona effective January 1, 2028, providing wage replacement benefits for covered employees taking leave for qualifying reasons.

• Covers five qualifying reasons: (1) caring for a new child within one year of birth/adoption/foster placement, (2) caring for a family member with a serious health condition, (3) employee's own serious health condition, (4) military family qualifying exigency leave, and (5) safe leave due to domestic violence, sexual violence, abuse, or stalking.

• Provides maximum benefits of 26 weeks for employee's own serious health condition and 24 weeks for other qualifying reasons, with weekly benefits ranging from $100 minimum to $1,000 maximum (adjusted annually to 90% of state average weekly wage).

• Requires equal employer-employee contributions beginning January 1, 2027, with rates set by the Industrial Commission of Arizona based on actuarial principles to maintain the family and medical leave insurance fund at adequate levels.

• Prohibits employer retaliation, requires job restoration upon return from leave, maintains health insurance during leave, and establishes enforcement mechanisms including civil actions, penalties, and presumption of retaliation for adverse actions taken within 90 days of filing a complaint.