Knox County adopts earned paid leave and family‑medical leave updates to align with state law

The Knox County Commission voted unanimously May 12 to update its earned paid leave and family and medical leave policies to comply with recent state law changes.

Chair (S1) brought forward three personnel policy items. Staff member (S6) told commissioners the most substantive change to the earned paid leave policy mirrors a state update that removed the cap on accruals and requires employers to ensure new hires have an accrual bank. "A small update came, which removed the cap on accruals," S6 said, explaining the county's tracking requirements and noting the county uses TriField Finance to maintain the detailed records the state may request.

Commissioner (S7) moved to adopt the earned paid leave update and Presenter (Jake) seconded; the commission approved the measure 3–0. The commission also approved updated language for the county's family and medical leave policy, which S6 said was largely pulled directly from state requirements for paid family medical leave that took effect May 1.

S6 said personnel policy cleanups are ongoing and staff plan to return with shorter, harmonized versions of overlapping policies. Commissioners asked whether attorney review was needed; staff said prior legal review of personnel policies had occurred and the current updates are minor and required for compliance.

The commission approved both policies by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Staff will continue to refine policy language and report back.