HI HB168

Establishes a paid family leave program for state and county employees, allowing qualified employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave during any 12-month period

Qualifying reasons for leave include 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 have completed at least 1,250 hours of service over at least 12 months to qualify for paid family leave benefits

Requires employees taking paid family leave to agree in writing to work for the employing agency for at least 12 weeks after the leave concludes, with waivers available for serious health conditions

Protects employees' job positions and benefits upon return from leave, and prohibits coercion or intimidation against employees exercising their leave rights