S.C.R. No. 221 Summary

• Requests Hawaii adopt and implement a paid family leave program for all workers by 2025 using a social insurance model with dedicated funding.

• Notes that 42% of private sector employees lack paid leave access, and current state law only covers employees of businesses with more than 100 employees, leaving 40% of the workforce without coverage.

• Cites that the U.S. is the only highly developed nation without mandatory paid family leave, while other nations average 18 weeks of paid leave.

• Documents that paid family leave provides benefits including improved child and maternal health outcomes, increased employee retention and productivity, enhanced gender equity, and reduced public assistance dependence.

• References two completed studies (2017 Paid Family Leave Grant Analysis Report and 2019 Paid Family Leave Program Impact Study) that concluded sustainably-funded paid family leave is both needed and affordable.