Heavrin and Dietz file measure aimed at making paid family medical leave more accessible

Frankfort, Kentucky (January 8, 2024) – As the legislature continues identifying opportunities to strengthen Kentucky families and address workforce shortages, Representative Samara Heavrin and Representative Stephanie Dietz filed legislation today aimed at helping Kentucky employers who would like to offer paid family leave as a benefit to employees.

“This is a simple, commonsense approach that empowers Kentucky employers to offer an incredibly valuable benefit to their employees, while making paid family leave possible for employees,” Heavrin said. “We know how beneficial it can be when both parents can be home with a new child, as well as allowing a family member care for a sick loved one. Unfortunately, many can’t afford to do so. HB 179 simply provides a way to make that financially possible for more people.”

Heavrin, chair of the House Families and Children Committee, shared that the bill’s provisions would amend state law to allow voluntary paid family medical leave to be offered as an insurance product. Voluntary paid family leave insurance is an insurance product that employers may voluntarily purchase to provide paid family leave benefits 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 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.

This insurance product could help more employers afford to offer paid family leave benefits to their workers, which could help with employee attraction and retention. Surveys consistently show paid family leave as a highly valued employee benefit.

“I came to Frankfort to help families and HB 179 has the potential to do just that in a major way,” Dietz added. “Employers of all sizes can choose to participate in a program that benefits their employees and their bottom line. We’re not mandating anything; we’re allowing a proven option. We know the benefits of family leave, so let’s eliminate the barriers to it.”

Dietz added that business owners and other employers who already offer paid family leave benefits through self-insured models could see lower, more consistent costs through the voluntary insurance product.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 75% of those who use family medical leave do so for 40 days or less, with two-fifths of the total number actually taking ten days or less.

“The vast majority of these absences aren’t for long periods of time, but many still can’t afford to take the time their family needs and employers can’t afford to provide it. This could be an incredible incentive and an investment in our workforce. Instead of mandating paid leave, we’re providing a voluntary solution that benefits everyone,” Heavrin added.

For more information about HB 179, visit the Kentucky General Assembly’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is located at 178 College Street in Pikeville and serves more than 500 businesses in eight Eastern Kentucky Counties: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike. The Chamber’s mission is to serve the businesses of Southeastern Kentucky through a commitment to networking, advocacy, education, and collaboration as we partner together to  enhance the business climate in our region.

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