S.B. 2491 Summary

• Establishes a family leave insurance program providing up to 16 weeks of paid family leave per calendar year to covered individuals, expanding from the current 4-week unpaid leave available only to large employers with 100+ employees.

• Creates a family leave insurance fund financed through employer and employee contributions based on average weekly wage, with contribution rates aligned to the temporary disability insurance fund.

• Provides weekly benefits calculated on a tiered scale: 90% of average weekly wage for those earning 50% or less of state average, 75% for those earning 50-100%, and 50% for those earning 100% or more, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,000.

• Covers care for newborns, adopted or foster children (within 12 months), family members with serious health conditions, qualifying service members, and military-related qualifying exigencies; eliminates the 100-employee employer threshold for eligibility.

• Requires employees to provide 30 days advance notice when feasible, with exceptions for unforeseen circumstances; guarantees job restoration to the same or equivalent position upon return from leave; effective July 1, 2050.