HB 1185 - DIGEST

     Finds that, although family leave laws have assisted individuals to balance the demands of the workplace with their family responsibilities, more needs to be done to achieve the goals of work force stability and economic security.

     Finds that many individuals do not have access to family leave laws, and those who do may not be in a financial position to take family leave that is unpaid, and that employer-paid benefits, including family leave and disability benefits, meet only a relatively small part of this need.

     Declares it to be in the public interest to establish a program that:  (1) Provides additional options for individuals to use in balancing work and family responsibilities;

     (2) is in addition to those programs offered by employers;

     (3) provides limited income support for a reasonable period while an individual is away from work on family leave; and

     (4) reduces the impact on state income-support programs by increasing an individual's ability to provide care-giving services for family members while maintaining an employment relationship.