New legislation, passed this year and recently signed into law by Gov. Josh Green as Act 13, expands the Hawai‘i Medical Leave Law.
Now, eligible employees can take family leave for a "qualifying military exigency" involving their child, spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, sibling, grandchild or parent serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, according to an announcement Thursday from the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
The law takes effect July 1.
"The Legislature finds that military families face unique challenges stemming from the demands of military life, including frequent relocations, short-notice deployments and other service-related obligations," the legislation, passed as Senate Bill 3082, reads. "These disruptions often result in financial stress, food insecurity and urgent needs for time off from work to manage essential responsibilities such as arranging childcare, attending military briefings, securing legal and financial services, and ensuring continuity of care for dependents."
The legislation also states that aligning the state's family leave law with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, which acknowledges such exigencies, "will provide critical support and reinforce the state's commitment to those who serve."
DLIR says that the state's Family Leave Law provides employees — who work for employers with 100 or more employees — up to four weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave during any calendar year upon the birth or adoption of a child; to care for a child, spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, sibling, grandchild or parent with a serious health condition; or for a qualifying military exigency, or urgent demand.
“The expansion of Hawaiʻi’s family leave law ensures that workers can respond to urgent situations related to active‑duty military service without jeopardizing their employment,” DLIR Director Jade Butay said in the announcement. “This amendment recognizes the unique challenges faced by families of service members and reinforces Hawaiʻi’s commitment to supporting military families.”
Green signed the measure on May 19.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
