Bill > HB1268

This bill expands family leave provisions in Hawaii to include domestic partners and their children, establishing a comprehensive definition of "domestic partner" with specific eligibility criteria. The bill defines a domestic partner as an individual who lives in a spouse-like relationship with an employee, intends to remain together indefinitely, shares a common residence, agrees to be jointly responsible for basic living expenses, is not married to another person, is not closely related by blood, is at least 18 years old and mentally competent, and has not entered the partnership through force or fraud. To qualify, the employee must sign a notarized declaration of domestic partnership attesting to these criteria. The legislation allows employees to take up to four weeks of family leave to care for a domestic partner or a domestic partner's child with a serious health condition, and it also expands the definition of "child" to include biological, adopted, or foster children of a domestic partner. The bill, known as the Partner Leave Equality Act, aims to recognize and support committed relationships beyond traditional marriage, regardless of gender, and will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1268&year=2026