HCR 179 Summary

• Requests the Senate Standing Committee on Labor and Technology and House Standing Committee on Labor to convene a legislative working group to develop recommendations for establishing a state paid family and medical leave program

• Working group must recommend program parameters including minimum leave duration, wage replacement system, coverage for serious illness, child bonding, military deployment, and domestic violence situations, and employment protections

• Working group composition includes the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations as chairperson, legislative committee chairs, public sector personnel directors, union representatives, and representatives from small business organizations, AARP Hawaii, and insurance companies

• Working group must develop an implementation plan outlining administrative framework, departmental oversight, projected costs, contribution rates, staffing needs, and timelines, plus examine how Hawaii's existing Temporary Disability Insurance program could interface with the new program

• Working group must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2026 Regular Session convenes