HB 168 Summary

• Establishes a paid family leave program for Hawaii state and county employees, creating a new Part in Chapter 78 of Hawaii Revised Statutes.

• Qualified employees (those with at least 1,250 hours of service over 12 months) may take up to 12 weeks of paid leave during any 12-month period for birth or adoption of a child, or to care for a family member (spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, child, grandchild, parent, or sibling) with a serious health condition.

• Employees taking paid family leave must agree in writing to work for the employer for at least 12 weeks after returning to work, unless unable to return due to a serious health condition or other circumstances beyond their control.

• Paid family leave is funded from existing agency appropriations, does not accumulate if unused, and is separate from vacation or other leave types; employees may also use accrued leave in addition to the 12 weeks of paid family leave.

• Employees on paid family leave retain health insurance coverage (with continued employee contributions), are protected from retaliation, and must be restored to their original position or an equivalent position upon return.