HB 511 Summary

• Establishes a family and medical leave insurance program allowing employees to receive paid leave for serious health conditions, caring for family members, or bonding with new children

• Creates a dedicated Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund financed through employee and employer premium contributions, with a seven-day waiting period before benefits are payable

• Provides eligible individuals up to 12 weeks of paid benefits during a 12-month period, with weekly benefit amounts based on a sliding scale tied to statewide average wages (maximum $1,000/week)

• Requires employers to withhold premiums from employee wages beginning July 1, 2019, with the full program becoming operational July 1, 2017; exempts family and medical leave insurance benefits from Ohio personal income tax

• Includes protections against employer retaliation for employees filing claims and allows employees covered by superior employer policies to opt out of the program