Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Paid Family Leave topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate amends and adopts changes to paid family and medical leave law, including NICU extension and audit fix
Summary
Senators approved amendments and final passage of Senate Bill 144 to refine paid family and medical leave insurance administration, add limited NICU-related leave extension and require pre-implementation steps tied to an audit finding.
Senator Faith Winter moved for passage of Senate Bill 144, a measure to refine the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act. Sponsors said the bill narrows timing of adjustments to premium rates and creates a temporary extension of leave in specific circumstances such as neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stays.
The Business, Labor and Technology Committee adopted technical clarifications and floor amendments that sponsors described as improving clarity on coverage limits and administrative adjustments. An amendment at the desk (L4) incorporated Department of Labor technical language clarifying coverage wording; another amendment (L5) responded to a recent state audit by ensuring an estimated $5 million erroneously charged to about 4,000 employers is reconciled before changing premium rates.
Supporters, including Senator Sullivan and other senators who shared personal experiences with family leave, argued the change balances employer contributions and program solvency while addressing families with extended NICU needs. Opponents cited concerns about extending private-employer obligations beyond state employees and potential perceived program abuse; Senator Liston asked sponsors to consider business feedback about program usage.
Floor votes adopted L4 and L5 and the Senate later took final passage. The transcript records the bill's adoption on the floor after amendment L5; the provided segments do not include a numeric final roll-call tally.
