Senate Bill 2440 Summary

• Establishes the Mississippi Paid Family Leave Act, administered by the Department of Employment Security, providing paid leave benefits beginning January 1, 2026, for covered individuals caring for newborns, family members with serious health conditions, or those with their own serious health conditions.

• Covered individuals are entitled to a maximum of 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave per application year, with weekly benefits equal to 90% of average weekly wage (minimum $30, maximum $1,000 until January 1, 2027, then capped at state average weekly wage).

• Creates a family and medical leave insurance fund financed by employee premiums determined by the State Treasurer using actuarial principles, with premiums beginning January 1, 2025, collected by employers and remitted to the state.

• Requires employers to restore employees to their original or equivalent position upon return from leave, maintain health insurance benefits during leave, and prohibits discrimination or adverse employment actions against employees who use or apply for family and medical leave benefits.

• Allows self-employed individuals to elect coverage for minimum 3-year periods, coordinates benefits with federal Family and Medical Leave Act leave, and requires employers to provide written notice to employees about their rights and the filing process.