H.B. 1272 Summary

• Establishes a family and medical leave insurance program administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, with the department beginning to collect employer contributions by January 1, 2023 and starting to pay benefits by January 1, 2024.

• Provides eligible covered individuals up to 16 weeks of paid leave per application year for qualifying reasons including childbirth/adoption, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, caring for a qualifying service member, or qualifying military exigencies.

• Calculates weekly benefit amounts based on 90% of average weekly wage for those earning up to half the state average weekly wage, and a tiered formula for higher earners, with benefits paid every two weeks starting within two weeks of claim filing.

• Requires employers to maintain health insurance coverage during leave periods and restore employees to equivalent positions upon return, with protections against retaliation for requesting or using benefits.

• Permits self-employed individuals to elect coverage under the program for an initial period of not less than three years and establishes a dedicated family and medical leave trust fund to finance the program.