HB219 would create a new paid family leave benefit for eligible state and county employees in Hawaii. The bill adds a section to chapter 78, Hawaii Revised Statutes, providing five days of paid leave each calendar year for family leave purposes described in existing law, including care related to birth, adoption, fostering a child, or caring for a family member during illness. The leave would be paid at the employee’s regular rate of pay and would not reduce accrued vacation, sick leave, or other earned benefits.
To qualify, an employee must have performed services for the state or county for at least six consecutive months. The bill specifies that the new leave entitlement applies notwithstanding chapter 398, and it is intended to supplement existing leave benefits rather than replace them. The measure is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB219 would amend chapter 78 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by creating a new statutory paid family leave entitlement for state and county employees. It would require public employers to provide up to five paid days per calendar year for qualifying family leave, paid at regular wages and without loss of seniority or use of accrued leave balances. The bill would directly affect state and county personnel administration, payroll, and leave policies, while leaving private-sector employers and the broader paid family leave framework unchanged.
Sentiment
The bill text reflects a strongly supportive policy rationale, emphasizing employee support, recruitment and retention, morale, and the state’s role as a model employer. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented opposition or debate in the available materials. Based on the bill’s findings and purpose section, the measure appears framed as a workforce and family-support initiative with positive legislative intent.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of concern, based on the bill’s structure, could include the fiscal and administrative cost to state and county employers, the interaction with existing leave systems under chapter 398, and whether five days is sufficient or should be expanded. However, no named stakeholders, amendments, or recorded objections are available to confirm any of these issues.