Paid Leave board posts revisions for Public Act 25‑174, delays formal adoption of consolidated policies

The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority Board of Directors voted July 10 to post proposed revisions to its consolidated policies that implement Public Act 25‑174 and to table formal adoption of the broader consolidated policies until a later meeting.

Michael (staff member) told the board the revisions tied to Public Act 25‑174 do two things: extend coverage to certain non‑certified employees of public and non‑public elementary and secondary school operators and permit the authority to adopt an alternate calculation for base period and base weekly earnings for school employees with nonstandard pay schedules. "These revisions are related to the bill that passed the legislature at the end of session ... it's under Public Act 25‑174," Michael said, and walked the board through examples showing how different pay schedules can produce materially different weekly benefit outcomes for employees with identical annual earnings.

Michael recommended, and staff proposed, averaging an employee's annual income across four quarters when the employee works a school year and is given a choice in payment options; that approach would exclude periods in which the employee was not employed (for example, a new hire) and would not change calculations for certified employees covered through collective bargaining. Michael also said staff would create an employment verification form to confirm whether school employees occupy certified positions, which affects eligibility.

Commissioner Michelle Gilman said the board needed a two‑thirds majority of voting members present to adopt policies at the meeting. Because that threshold was not met, she asked for a motion to table the formal adoption; the board voted to table the adoption and later voted to authorize staff to post the PA25‑174–related revisions for public comment. Both actions were carried by voice vote; the transcript does not record roll‑call counts.

Why it matters: The PA25‑174 changes, effective Oct. 1 for covered employees, aim to prevent widely different paid‑leave benefits for school employees who earn the same annual salary but receive pay on different schedules. Posting for comment begins a public review period ahead of final adoption.

What's next: Staff will post the proposed PA25‑174 revisions for public notice and comment; the board will consider final adoption of the consolidated policies at a later meeting when the required two‑thirds voting threshold is met.