State Paid Family Leave Programs
Several states have enacted paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs that provide wage replacement benefits to employees who take leave for qualifying reasons. These programs are typically funded through employer and/or employee payroll contributions and administered by the state.
| State | Program | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| California | CA Paid Family Leave (PFL) | Up to 8 weeks; 60–70% wage replacement |
| New York | NY Paid Family Leave (PFL) | Up to 12 weeks; 67% of state average weekly wage |
| Washington | WA Paid Family and Medical Leave | Up to 12 weeks family + 12 weeks medical; 90% of wages up to state average |
| Massachusetts | MA Paid Family and Medical Leave | Up to 12 weeks family + 20 weeks medical; 80% of wages up to state average |
| New Jersey | NJ Family Leave Insurance | Up to 12 weeks; 85% of wages up to state average |
Health Plan Continuation During State Leave
State leave laws vary in their health plan continuation requirements. Some states require employers to maintain health coverage during state leave on the same terms as during federal FMLA leave. Others are silent on health plan continuation. Review the specific requirements of each state where you have employees.
Multi-State Compliance Strategy
Pro Tip
Multi-state employers should maintain a state leave law matrix that identifies the applicable leave laws in each state where they have employees. Update the matrix annually — state leave laws are changing rapidly. Consider a leave management vendor who specializes in multi-state compliance to reduce the administrative burden.