Bill > SB653

This bill creates the "Strong Families Act" and establishes an income tax credit for employers who provide paid family and medical leave to their qualified employees. The key provisions include: - Defining "family and medical leave" as leave for the employee's own serious health condition, the birth or adoption of a child, or the care of a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition. - Allowing employers a 25% tax credit on wages paid to qualified employees (employed for at least 12 months) during their family and medical leave, up to $4,000 per employee per tax year. - Requiring employers to provide at least 4 weeks of paid family and medical leave for full-time qualified employees, and a pro-rated amount for part-time qualified employees. - Prohibiting employers from interfering with or discriminating against employees who exercise their right to family and medical leave under the employer's policy. - Allowing the family and medical leave to run concurrently with leave required under federal or state law, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act. The bill is effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2019.