Connecticut Paid Leave Authority backs bill to extend coverage to uncertified school staff

The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority’s Outreach & Engagement Committee heard an update on Senate Bill 1427 on March’s committee call, which would expand paid family and medical leave insurance benefits to school employees in positions that do not require certification or licensing.

Erin, a staff member at the authority, said she testified in support of the bill on March 4 and that the labor committee was considering substitute language that would add job-protection under the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act (Connecticut FMLA). "I testified in support of the bill on March 4," she said.

The substitute language described in the update would clarify that employees in roles that do not require certification or licensing — for example paraeducators, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, library aides and clerical staff — would be covered. The update noted that positions that require certification or licensing would remain excluded. Staff said the change is intended to simplify administration and to avoid confusing situations in which an employee holds a certification but the current job does not require it.

Committee members responded favorably to the substitute language. Justin Dartman said the proposed approach would reduce administrative burdens on districts, noting his experience with paraeducators who hold teaching certificates but do different classroom work: "I do think that would be a logistic nightmare for districts to figure out who is actually eligible and who isn't... I think it will really make the burden, less onerous on districts."

Staff said labor committee chairs viewed the bill as a priority and that committee work was underway; committees must finish moving bills within the coming weeks before the legislative session ends in June. The authority said it continues to track dozens of bills but identified SB 1427 as the priority for the authority this year.

The committee meeting included routine business motions: approval of the Jan. 16, 2025 meeting minutes passed with two abstentions, and the meeting adjourned by vote later in the session.

The authority did not present final statutory text during the meeting; staff said they were monitoring substitute language being considered by the labor committee and preparing to administer changes if the bill advances.

Looking ahead, staff said they would continue to work with legislators and the labor committee to refine language and implementation details if the bill moves forward.