How do state leave laws interact with FMLA?

State leave laws interact with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) often by providing more benefits, protections, and time away. The Family and Medical Leave Act grants employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave each year. Many state paid leave programs go beyond the protections of the FMLA, offering longer leave, pay, or expanded eligibility criteria. Employees can use the most favorable provisions available to them, whether it is federal or state law.

What leave types does AbsenceSoft support?

Out of the box, AbsenceSoft supports more than 190 federal and state leave and accommodations laws. Unlimited additional local and municipal laws, as well as custom company policies, can be configured during the software implementation process.

What are the leave laws in the US?

Every employee in the United States who works for a covered employer meets certain employment criteria is entitled to leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). If the employee has a covered disability, they may also be entitled to leave as an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many states and municipalities offer their own paid leave programs for residents of that state.

How many states have paid family and medical leave?

According to the Department of Labor, 13 states and the District of Columbia mandate paid family and medical leave programs. Additionally, ten more states allow employees and workers to participate in or purchase private family or medical leave insurance through voluntary programs.

What states have their own FMLA laws?

Several states offer their own version of the FMLA, to offer pay, expanded coverage, or longer leave periods. These states include California, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington, and Massachusetts. New states are passing leave laws each year, adding to the growing landscape of state leave laws.

The United States Leave Law Lookup

What state do you need to know about?

About AbsenceSoft’s State Leave Law Lookup Tool

Every day, new state leave programs are signed into law, or existing laws are amended. Keeping up can be a huge hassle. Our leave law lookup tool will tell you if a state-level leave entitlement exists for 13 different types of leave laws. For more information about state leave laws, you can browse our resources for details about specific state leave laws.

This leave law lookup tool is meant to be a helpful reference for HR. The results of our lookup tool are meant only for informational purposes, and are not intended as legal advice. This tool was last updated: August 28, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

State leave laws interact with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) often by providing more benefits, protections, and time away. The Family and Medical Leave Act grants employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave each year. Many state paid leave programs go beyond the protections of the FMLA, offering longer leave, pay, or expanded eligibility criteria. Employees can use the most favorable provisions available to them, whether it is federal or state law.
Out of the box, AbsenceSoft supports more than 190 federal and state leave and accommodations laws. Unlimited additional local and municipal laws, as well as custom company policies, can be configured during the software implementation process.
Every employee in the United States who works for a covered employer meets certain employment criteria is entitled to leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). If the employee has a covered disability, they may also be entitled to leave as an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many states and municipalities offer their own paid leave programs for residents of that state.
According to the Department of Labor, 13 states and the District of Columbia mandate paid family and medical leave programs. Additionally, ten more states allow employees and workers to participate in or purchase private family or medical leave insurance through voluntary programs.
Several states offer their own version of the FMLA, to offer pay, expanded coverage, or longer leave periods. These states include California, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington, and Massachusetts. New states are passing leave laws each year, adding to the growing landscape of state leave laws.