HB 1245 Summary

• Creates the "Florida Family and Medical Leave Act" (Chapter 444, F.S.) requiring employers with 20+ employees to provide paid family and medical leave to bond with a newborn, adopted, or foster child during the first 12 months; leave becomes available July 1, 2021.

• Establishes a family and medical leave insurance benefits program (operational by January 1, 2023) providing 75% of average weekly wages with a minimum of $100/week and maximum of $1,000/week, for up to 12 weeks per year.

• Prohibits employers from taking adverse action against employees requesting or using family and medical leave; requires health coverage maintenance during leave and return to same or comparable position afterward.

• Amends Florida Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including denial of up to 4 months unpaid leave and reasonable workplace accommodations.

• Authorizes civil actions for violations with potential awards of unpaid leave, actual damages, triple damages, attorney fees, and other relief; establishes penalty of $500-$1,000 for failure to provide required notice to employees.