HB5594 - Family Leave Insurance Act

• Creates a state-administered family leave insurance program providing 85% of average weekly wage (max $881/week) to eligible employees taking up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within any 24-month period for childbirth, adoption, foster care placement, or family member's serious health condition.

• Requires employers to deduct 0.5% payroll premium from all employee wages, collected by the Department of Employment Security and deposited into a State Benefits Fund with separate Administration and Family Leave Benefits Accounts.

• Establishes eligibility for employees working 12+ months for the same employer with 1,200+ base hours in the preceding year, excluding state and local government employees.

• Prohibits employer retaliation against employees filing claims and requires job restoration to same or equivalent position within 20 miles upon return from leave, with limited exceptions for highest-paid salaried employees.

• Mandates annual public reporting on benefits claims by category (serious illness, newborn care, adoption, sick family members, etc.) including demographic data, costs, and administrative expenses.