SB 25-144

Senate Bill 25-144 updates Colorado's paid family and medical leave program by extending the leave duration for parents whose newborns are in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) up to an additional 12 weeks. The bill also adjusts how much employers pay into the program, setting the premium rate at 0.9% of wages through 2025 and then reducing it slightly to 0.88% starting in 2026, with future rates determined by the director of the family and medical leave insurance division. This bill has been signed into law, meaning its changes are now official and will be implemented as described.

Official Summary

With regard to the family and medical leave insurance program (program), the act extends the duration of paid family and medical leave, up to an additional 12 weeks, for a parent who has a child receiving inpatient care in a neonatal intensive care unit. The act also changes the premiums financing the program benefits by extending the current premium amount, 0.9% of wages per employee, through 2025 and setting the premium amount for the 2026 calendar year at 0.88% of wages per employee. For each subsequent calendar year, the director of the division of family and medical leave insurance (director) is required set the premium on or before September 1 of the preceding year, in a manner such that: At the end of the year, the balance of the family and medical leave insurance fund (fund) is not less than 6 months' worth of projected expenditures from the fund required for performance of the functions and duties of the director; The volatility of the premium rate is minimized; and The premium amount does not exceed 1.2% of wages per employee.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes