HB 1876 Summary

• Establishes a paid family leave program for Hawaii state and county employees allowing up to 12 weeks of paid leave during any 12-month period for birth, adoption, foster placement, or caring for a family member with a serious health condition.

• Requires employees to have completed at least 1,250 hours of service over 12 months to qualify as a "qualified employee" eligible for the paid family leave benefit.

• Allows employees to take leave intermittently or on a reduced schedule when medically necessary, with hours deducted on an hour-for-hour basis from the total 12-week entitlement.

• Provides job protection guaranteeing employees return to their original position or an equivalent position with equivalent pay and benefits upon return from leave.

• Requires state and counties to establish the paid family leave program by January 1, 2025, and authorizes regulations to increase leave to up to 16 weeks based on recruitment, retention, and other considerations.