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Insurers tell committee HB593 would allow private paid‑family‑leave products
Summary
Greg Lestini, speaking for the Association of Ohio Life Insurance Companies, said HB593 would allow private insurers to offer paid family/medical leave products in Ohio, creating a regulated, insurer‑written product distinct from employer-provided paid leave and FMLA unpaid leave.
Greg Lestini, testifying for the Association of Ohio Life Insurance Companies, told the House Insurance Committee House Bill 593 would permit insurers to write and market private paid family/medical leave insurance in Ohio—coverage that is currently not permitted under state code. Lestini described three existing "buckets": unpaid FMLA leave, employer‑provided paid leave, and a new private insurance product that would be offered and regulated by insurers.
Lestini said the idea is based on NCOIL model language and would allow life and disability carriers to underwrite a paid family leave product subject to approval by the state insurance department. He said 27% of employees currently lack paid family leave and that 11 states already allow variants of this product; representatives asked how many companies offer it in other states and Lestini replied that about half of their trade association members offer it elsewhere.
Committee members questioned why Ohio had not historically allowed the product; Lestini said it simply is not currently in statute and the bill would enable insurers and the department to approve forms and filings. The committee concluded the proponent testimony without action on the floor.
