On April 23, Ohio State Senators Beth Liston and Louis Blessing announced the introduction of Senate Bill 396, legislation that would ensure Ohio workers have access to 14 weeks of paid leave for parental, caregiving, and personal medical needs. The bill was introduced March 23rd and referred to the Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance, and Technology Committee, where it has not yet received a hearing. If enacted, Ohio would join 14 other states that have established some form of guaranteed paid family leave. 

Currently, more than three-fourths of Ohioans do not have access to paid leave. A typical Ohio worker who takes four weeks of unpaid leave loses nearly $3,100 in income. While the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year, about 40% of Ohio workers are not eligible for those benefits. SB 396 would keep Ohioans from having to make the impossible choice between caring for a loved one and keeping their paycheck.

Under the bill, employees could take up to 14 weeks for a qualifying event, with a maximum of 18 weeks per year, and would have job protection during their leave. Workers would receive 85% of their pay, capped at $100,000 annually.

As proud members of the Time to Care Ohio Coalition that is championing this legislation, we were proud to be in attendance at the Ohio Statehouse when the bill was announced. We are grateful to the Coalition and its leadership, and to the lawmakers leading on this key issue by introducing this bill: Senator Beth Liston (D) and Senator Louis Blessing (R).

Additional facts about the legislation:

• SB 396 would establish a paid family and medical leave insurance fund, maintained by the state through an additional payroll contribution from both employees and employers of about 0.4%. The State Treasurer would hold the fund, but the funds would be separated from the state treasury.
• Employers with fewer than 15 employees would be exempt from the payroll contribution, though their employees would still contribute their half and be eligible for benefits.
• The director of Ohio Job and Family Services would administer the program, with implementation beginning in 2028.

Learn more about the bill and join the coalition at www.timetocareohio.org!