Counties Ready to Work with Legislators to Address Paid Leave Implementation Concerns

On March 2, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the Senate Finance Committee in support of SB 828 – Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Modifications with amendments.

The House Economic Matters Committee will consider the bill’s cross-file, HB 988, on March 7.

SB 828 modifies the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program, passed in 2022, by clarifying and altering provisions related to the administration of the Program. However, the bill as written does not sufficiently resolve counties’ concerns regarding the timeline for implementation, as well as the requirement that every local jurisdiction participate in the program or seek an exemption if they already provide plans of equal or greater benefit to the State’s.

From the MACo Testimony:

While counties value the goals of the FAMLI Program and the intent of SB 828 to clarify key pieces of the law, local governments have deep trepidations about the feasibility of the law’s implementation timeline and requirements, which are not resolved in SB 828 as drafted… To adequately address these continued concerns, counties propose the following amendments:

Defer employer contributions to July 1, 2024, so that counties can properly consider and prepare
for budget implications of these contributions ahead of FY25.

Require the Department of Labor to adopt private plan exemption procedures and criteria and
appeals process in regulations by January 1, 2024.