A bill that authorizes insurers to offer paid family leave insurance plans to give Kentuckians more options when it comes to caring for family members passed the Senate floor Thursday morning.
House Bill 179, sponsored by Rep. Samara Heavrin, would help Kentucky employers who would like to offer an additional benefit to their employees by amending state law to allow voluntary paid family leave to be offered as an insurance product. Companies could choose to purchase this insurance to provide the benefit to their employees.
Paid family leave insurance would provide a temporary wage replacement for workers who need to take leave to provide care to a sick family member; bond with a child after the child’s birth, adoption, or placement for foster care; care for a family member in the military or a first responder who was injured in the line of duty; or for other reasons as outlined in the employer’s benefit plan. The length of paid leave benefits would also be determined by the employer’s plan.
Insurers can only offer products that are approved in the state which is what the legislation would do in Kentucky which has been done in six states and is being considered in others.
Heavrin said the bill is the result of work by a bipartisan working group and is a market-driven policy proposal that has no mandates on any employers or employees.
Kentucky Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Kate Shanks said this is a “pro-working family” bill that is helpful for those growing or caring for their families and presents an opportunity for employers to become more flexible and competitive by offering additional benefits.
House Bill 179 passed through the Senate unanimously. It previously passed the House 92-1. The legislation now heads to the governor’s desk.
Watch an interview with Rep. Heavrin where she discusses this bill and related legislation here.
Stay tuned to The Bottom Line for more updates throughout the 2024 session.
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