Senate committee tweaks unpaid‑leave bill, debates bereavement limits and documentation

The Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee on April 30 debated amendments to an unpaid leave measure that would add or clarify bereavement, safe leave and related provisions.

Committee members sought language changes intended to balance protections for employees with operational concerns for small employers and asked legislative counsel and advocates to produce a revised draft before the committee reconvened.

Sophie Sodatni of the Office of Legislative Counsel walked members through the proposed amendments and technical language. She summarized one draft change on notice requirements: "When an employee gives notice to an employer about the intent to take leave, they would provide information on the date the leave is expected to commence, the estimated duration of the leave, and then adding in that if the leave is for a family member, documentation identifying the qualifying family relationship." Committee members agreed the ability to request documentation should be permissive — employers "may" request rather than "shall" require — and that self‑attestation…