HI SB679

Establishes paid family leave benefits of up to 8 weeks per benefit year for employees to care for newborns, newly adopted children, or family members with serious health conditions, in addition to existing temporary disability benefits.

Creates a web-based family leave data collection system in partnership with the University of Hawaii center on aging to track usage, demographics, and adequacy of family leave benefits for public and private sector employees.

Expands the definition of "family member" to include spouses, reciprocal beneficiaries, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren; adds definitions for "serious health condition" and related terms.

Modifies the temporary disability benefits program to accommodate family leave by adjusting waiting periods (7 days for disability, 30 days for family leave claims) and allowing up to 26 weeks for disability versus 8 weeks for family leave per benefit year.

Repeals Chapter 398, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and integrates family leave administration into the existing employer-based private insurance program that currently provides temporary disability benefits, funded through employee and employer contributions.