S.B. No. 91 Summary

• Establishes a state-administered Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program under new Chapter 4143 of the Ohio Revised Code, allowing employees to receive wage replacement benefits for qualifying leave related to serious health conditions, new child care, family member care, or FMLA-covered absences.

• Creates a trust fund financed through employee premiums (deducted from wages) and optional employer contributions, with benefits calculated as a percentage of average weekly wage (ranging from 60-95% depending on income level) up to $1,000 per week maximum, with 12 weeks available per 12-month period.

• Requires eligibility demonstration of 680 hours of work during base period, with a 7-day waiting period before benefits begin, and includes job restoration protections and prohibitions on employer retaliation for employees claiming benefits.

• Makes amendments to collective bargaining law to establish that family and medical leave insurance benefits under Chapter 4143 supersede conflicting collective bargaining agreement provisions unless the agreement provides greater benefits.

• Phases in implementation with premium collection beginning July 1, 2020, claims eligible beginning July 1, 2021, and requires Director of Job and Family Services to conduct actuarial evaluation by December 31, 2019 to establish sustainable premium rates.