Bill > HB1227

This bill establishes a comprehensive paid family leave program for state and county employees in Hawaii, allowing qualified employees to take up to twelve weeks of paid leave for specific family and medical reasons. The bill defines a "qualified employee" as someone who has worked at least 1,250 hours over twelve months and provides leave for three primary scenarios: the birth or placement of a child, caring for a child with a serious health condition, and caring for a spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, child, grandchild, parent, or sibling with a serious health condition. The program includes provisions that allow employees to use administrative workweeks of paid leave and potentially additional accrued leave, while protecting their employment status and health benefits. Employees must provide notice before taking leave and may be required to provide medical certification. The bill also includes protections against workplace coercion and ensures that the new leave benefits are in addition to, not in place of, existing leave policies. The legislation was motivated by findings that many Hawaii families struggle financially during caregiving situations, with nearly half unable to cover expenses for four weeks, and aims to support workers, particularly women who are often primary caregivers, during critical family and medical moments. The program will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1227&year=2026