HB 1173-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Declares it to be in the public interest to establish a program that: (1) Allows parents to bond with a newborn or newly placed child, and workers to care for seriously ill family members or recover from their own serious health condition;

(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 caregiving services for family members while maintaining an employment relationship.

Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2006, for each individual, each employer shall pay a premium of two cents per hour worked, up to a maximum of forty hours per week, to the department in the manner and at such intervals as the department directs for deposit in the family leave insurance account. In the payment of premiums, a fractional part of a cent shall be disregarded unless it amounts to one-half cent or more, in which case it shall be increased to one cent.

Requires that, beginning September 1, 2006, the department shall report to the legislature by September 1st of each year on projected and actual program participation, premium rates, fund balances, and outreach efforts.