Senate Bill 19-188 Summary

• Creates a Family and Medical Leave Implementation Task Force to study and recommend a paid family and medical leave program for Colorado employees, with recommendations due by January 8, 2020.

• Requires the Department of Labor and Employment to analyze third-party administration options and contract with at least three experts to assess program design, including eligibility, wage replacement, duration, and funding structures.

• Establishes a timeline for program implementation assuming establishment by July 1, 2020, public education beginning January 1, 2022, funding starting January 1, 2023, and benefits beginning January 1, 2024.

• Task Force consists of 13 voting members including workers, employers, labor economists, insurers, and policy experts, plus 2 nonvoting members, with appointments required by July 1, 2019.

• Appropriates $165,487 to the Department of Labor and Employment and $17,004 to the Department of Public Health and Environment for fiscal year 2019-20 to support implementation planning and health benefits analysis.