Bill > HR175

This resolution requests the Senate Standing Committee on Labor and Technology and the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Labor to establish a legislative working group aimed at developing recommendations for a statewide paid family and medical leave program. The working group would be composed of representatives from various government agencies, labor unions, community organizations, and business interests, and would be tasked with identifying program parameters such as minimum leave duration, wage replacement systems, coverage types (including serious illness, childcare, military deployment, and domestic violence), and employment protections. The group would review existing regulations, examine how the current Temporary Disability Insurance program might integrate with the new leave program, and develop a comprehensive implementation plan that includes administrative frameworks, potential costs, contribution rates, and timelines. The resolution highlights the current lack of paid leave options for most private sector workers in Hawaii and notes the challenges faced by family caregivers, particularly those in the "sandwich generation" who care for both children and elderly relatives. The working group is expected to submit a detailed report with findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature before the 2026 Regular Session, with the ultimate goal of creating a state-administered paid family and medical leave program that benefits both public and private sector workers.

Government Affairs, Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=175&year=2025