ND HB1509

Creates a mandatory paid family medical leave program requiring employers with more than 49 eligible employees and employees to each contribute two cents per ten dollars of wages to a dedicated fund.

Allows eligible employees (working at least 25 hours per week for 12 consecutive months with 1,000 hours of service) to take up to 12 calendar weeks of leave per year for personal medical reasons or to care for family members, receiving 66 percent of wages up to $4,000 per month.

Permits employers with fewer than 50 eligible employees to voluntarily participate in the program and allows employers to require use of up to two weeks of sick or vacation leave before accessing family medical leave.

Prohibits employer retaliation against employees for requesting or taking leave, including discharge, termination, suspension, demotion, or hour reduction.

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the general fund to establish the paid family medical leave fund within the workforce safety and insurance fund, with repayment to the general fund over 20 years from legacy fund earnings.