This proposed constitutional amendment (LR 303CA) would require all employers in Nebraska to provide paid family medical leave to employees. It mandates a minimum of six weeks of paid leave starting October 1, 2027, increasing to twelve weeks by October 1, 2028. The amendment must be approved by Nebraska voters in the November 2026 general election to become part of the state constitution. If approved, it would directly affect all Nebraska employers and their employees by establishing a state-wide paid leave requirement.
This bill requires Nebraska state employers to provide paid maternity leave to employees who give birth or adopt a child. Full-time state employees would receive six weeks of paid leave, while part-time employees would receive leave proportional to their regular work schedule. The leave must be taken within six months of the child's birth or adoption, and employees must return to their original position or an equivalent role after leave. The bill also prohibits retaliation against employees who use this leave and ensures continued benefits during the leave period.
LB 440, the Education Leave and Support Act, creates a state fund to help school districts cover costs when teachers take federal medical leave (FMLA). It requires school districts to collect a 0.35% payroll fee from certificated teachers' wages (with employers matching this amount), which funds the State Education Leave Fund. This fund reimburses school districts for hiring substitutes during the first six weeks of a teacher's FMLA leave, ensuring teachers don’t need to use personal or sick leave during that period. Any surplus funds over 20% of annual needs will transfer to an Education Retention Fund to address teacher shortages and support professional development. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, with reimbursements starting July 1, 2026.
LB 189 would establish Nebraska's Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, creating a state-administered program providing wage replacement for eligible workers. It directly affects employees of participating employers and self-employed individuals who opt into the program, covering leave for reasons like newborn care, serious health conditions, and military family needs (e.g., caring for a service member on active duty). Key provisions include calculating benefits based on the worker's average weekly wage during a defined base period, with specific coverage for military-related exigencies like deployment preparation or reintegration events. The bill requires employers to participate or allow self-employed individuals to opt in, with benefits funded through employee and employer contributions to a new state-administered fund.
LB 224 requires Nebraska state employers to provide paid maternity leave to eligible employees who give birth and assume parental responsibility. Full-time state employees receive 12 weeks of paid leave, while part-time employees get proportional leave based on their regular hours. The bill prohibits retaliation against employees who take leave, mandates return to equivalent positions after leave, and ensures continued benefits during leave - while running concurrently with federal Family and Medical Leave Act protections. It also prohibits using this leave against other accrued leave types like vacation or sick time.
LB 698 amends Nebraska's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act to update definitions and enforcement. It expands employee coverage by removing exclusions for agricultural workers and those working fewer than 80 hours yearly, while clarifying "small business" as employers with 11-19 employees. The bill increases penalties for violations (up to $5,000 for repeat offenses), requires public posting of citations (excluding contested cases), and strengthens employee lawsuit rights by allowing recovery of attorney fees. These changes directly affect small employers (11-19 workers) and their employees regarding paid sick leave and enforcement.
