SB 688 Summary: Florida Family and Medical Leave Act

• Creates Chapter 444, Florida Statutes establishing the "Florida Family and Medical Leave Act" requiring employers with 20+ employees to provide paid family and medical leave to bond with a minor child during the first 12 months after birth, adoption, or foster care placement, effective July 1, 2022.

• Establishes a family and medical leave insurance benefits program administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity, with contributions collected starting January 1, 2023, providing benefits of 75% of average weekly wages (minimum $100/week, maximum $1,000/week) for up to 12 weeks per year, beginning January 1, 2024.

• Prohibits employers from taking adverse action against employees who request or obtain family and medical leave, with a rebuttable presumption of violation if adverse action occurs within 90 days of requesting leave, complaint filing, or cooperating with investigations.

• Amends the Florida Civil Rights Act to prohibit employers from refusing up to 4 months of unpaid leave for employees disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related medical conditions, and requires reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related needs.

• Establishes enforcement mechanisms including investigations by the Secretary of Economic Opportunity, civil penalties of $500-$1,000 for notice violations, and employee lawsuits with awards for unpaid leave, actual damages up to treble damages, attorney fees, and other relief within 3 years of violation.