S.R. No. 149 Summary

• Requests Hawaii establish and adopt a paid family leave program for all workers by 2025, applicable to all employees regardless of employer size.

• Notes that 42 percent of private sector employees in Hawaii lack access to paid leave, with low-wage workers having the least access despite greatest financial need.

• Identifies Hawaii's high cost of living, prevalence of multi-generational households, and growing elderly population as factors supporting need for paid family leave.

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

• References prior studies (2017 "Paid Family Leave Grant Analysis Report" and 2019 "Paid Family Leave Program Impact Study") concluding that paid family leave is needed and affordable, with benefits including improved health outcomes, employee retention, and reduced dependence on public assistance.