NYS Paid Family Leave Updates

In 2016, legislation was passed in NYS to enact an 8-week Paid Family Leave (PFL) program scheduled to go into effect in January of 2018. For these purposes, a family member is defined as a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, spouse or domestic partner. The definition of a “serious health condition” is similar to the definition under the FMLA. Unless an employer chooses to permit otherwise, any PFL benefit must run concurrently with an employee’s available FMLA entitlement. PFL will be provided through the NYS existing Disability Benefits Law (DBL) and be available to all private sector workers, giving eligible employees the right to a leave of absence and guaranteed reinstatement.

The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) has released the 2018 maximum employee contribution rate under the New York State Paid Family Leave Act. A set of proposed Paid Family Leave regulations along with final DFS regulations are also available for review. The premium rate for Family Leave Benefits and the maximum employee contribution for coverage beginning January 1, 2018 will be 0.126% of an employee’s weekly wage up to and not to exceed the statewide average weekly wage, which is currently $1,305.92. The DFS is expected to set the maximum employee contribution on September 1 each subsequent year. Read more about Paid Family Leave updates here: https://tinyurl.com/ychnbf4d

Do you have questions about NYS Paid Family Leave? Contact the office to speak with one of our HR Business Partners today at 631.794.7400.