H.B. 425 Summary

• Establishes a paid family leave program for Hawaii state and county employees effective January 1, 2026.

• Qualified employees (those with 1,250+ hours of service over 12+ months) receive 12 weeks of paid leave within a 12-month period for: birth or adoption/foster placement of a child, or caring for a spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, child, grandchild, parent, or sibling with a serious health condition.

• Employees must agree in writing to work for the employer for at least 12 weeks after leave concludes, with exceptions for continuation of serious health conditions; agencies may recover government health coverage contributions if employees fail to return without valid cause.

• Leave for birth or placement cannot be taken intermittently unless employer agrees; leave for care of ill family members may be taken intermittently when medically necessary, with employers able to require temporary transfer to alternative positions with equivalent pay and benefits.

• Employees retain health insurance coverage during leave and must be restored to their original position or an equivalent position upon return; certification from healthcare providers may be required for leave related to serious health conditions.