Paid Medical Leave Bill

1 year ago

As of February 15, 2023 only one Human Resources related bill which relates to the public employee pension maximum (HB 106) has passed the House. Nothing HR related has passed the Senate, even though there are over 400 bills in each of the areas as of the 15th.

Of interest, HB 329 increases maximum penalties for anyone who fails to file a report required by the Workers’ Compensation Act or who violates its provisions. The proposal is for an increase from $1000 to $2000. In addition, HB 300 provides the ability for public employees to work remotely.

SB 11, The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) bill has now been amended. The bill allows for an assessment against each employee in the amount of one-half a percent of the employee’s wages. However, the amendment now specifically outlines that it does not allow the employer to take the employee’s payments from the employee’s leave compensation and does not allow the employer to recover any of the employer’s premium by trying to recover it from the employee’s wages. The amendment clarifies that the leave cannot result in a reduction of the total leave that the employee is otherwise entitled to receive and that an employer cannot require that an employee exhaust other leave entitlements prior to taking PFML. In addition, the amendment adds language that adds two representatives of a statewide organization representing labor to be part of the PFML advisory committee.

We’ll continue to monitor the progression of HR related bills at the legislature. If you would like to find out more about our expertise in HR compliance, please contact us at SWHRC today!