CT SB00221

Establishes a Family and Medical Leave Compensation Program administered by the Labor Department, providing up to 12 workweeks of paid leave during any 12-month period to covered employees starting March 1, 2018.

Creates a Family and Medical Leave Compensation Trust Fund funded by employee contributions (minimum $4 million per month), with compensation at 100% of average weekly earnings up to $1,000 per week, adjusted annually for inflation.

Expands eligible reasons for leave to include caring for spouses, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren with serious health conditions, in addition to birth, adoption, personal illness, and organ donation.

Reduces employer threshold from 75 employees to 2 employees and changes the 12-month eligibility period from 24 months to 12 months; requires employers to provide notice of leave entitlements to employees.

Allows self-employed persons and sole proprietors to voluntarily enroll in the program for initial periods of at least 3 years; employees earning at least $2,325 in their highest earning quarter of the preceding 5 quarters qualify as covered employees.