HB 1000

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN APPLICABLE DEFINITIONS; TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE COVERED INDIVIDUALS WITH THE RIGHT TO PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE; TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR COVERED INDIVIDUALS; TO CREATE THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY THE STATE TREASURER; TO PROTECT THE EMPLOYMENT OF COVERED INDIVIDUALS WHILE THEY ARE ON LEAVE; TO PROHIBIT EMPLOYERS FROM VIOLATING RIGHTS PROTECTED IN THIS ACT; TO REQUIRE THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT TO HOLD VIOLATING EMPLOYERS LIABLE; TO PROVIDE THAT THIS ACT IS TO BE CONSTRUED ALONGSIDE SIMILAR PROVISIONS IN THE FEDERAL FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT; TO REQUIRE THAT CLAIMS BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULES PRESCRIBED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT; TO DISQUALIFY COVERED INDIVIDUALS FROM COVERAGE FOR FRAUD, MISREPRESENTATION, OR ERRONEOUS PAYMENT; TO ALLOW COVERED INDIVIDUALS TO ELECT FOR INITIAL COVERAGE OR SUBSEQUENT COVERAGE; TO PRESCRIBE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FORMATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT IF THE INSURANCE BENEFITS IN THIS ACT ARE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX; TO ALLOW FOR INTERMITTENT OR REDUCED LEAVE; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ABOUT THE PROGRAM; TO ENCOURAGE THE DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT DATA FOR THE PURPOSE OF LIMITING THE COST OF THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE PROGRAM TO EMPLOYEES UPON HIRING AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER; TO AMEND SECTION 25-3-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 25-3-91, 25-3-92, 25-3-93 AND 25-3-95, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, PERSONAL AND MAJOR MEDICAL LEAVE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.