Ohio Senators Introduce Bipartisan Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill

Overview

• SB 396, sponsored by Sens. Beth Liston and Louis W. Blessing III, is assigned to the Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance and Technology Committee and has not been scheduled for a hearing.
• The plan would pay up to 85% of a worker’s average weekly wage for up to 14 weeks per qualifying event, with up to 18 weeks allowed for multiple events in a year and a cap tied to the statewide average weekly wage.
• Covered reasons include a worker’s own serious health condition, bonding with a new child, caring for a seriously ill family member, and certain military-related needs.
• Funding would come from payroll contributions initially estimated near 0.4% of wages, with employers that have 15 or more employees required to contribute.
• The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services would run the program, offer a private-plan alternative for employers that meet state standards, require continued health insurance during leave, and coordinate leave to run at the same time as federal FMLA; local reporting says benefits could begin in 2028 if the bill becomes law.