Changes in Store for CT Paid Leave Program

(Hartford, Conn. WTIC)-The CEO of the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority, Andrea Barton Reeves, said many people are anxious to have have the new program changes start January first of next year.
Employees contribute one-half of one percent through a payroll deduction. Employers can either participate in the public option or offer their employees a private plan.
Collection of benefits resume the following year. Reeves says reasons for those taking leave include: creating or expanding your family through birth, adding a child through adoption or foster care, taking care of your own health, bone marrow or organ donation, carrying for a family member injured on active duty, when a family member is called overseas for active duty and for family violence leave.
Reeves says under the new law employers "have to allow an employee to keep up to two weeks of their accrued leave. They cannot compel them to use the entire leave for their paid time."
She adds no one thought when the program passed and was implemented that we'd be in the middle of a pandemic. "Money is tight for a lot of people. Covid 19 has taught us the economic fragility of state residents. It shows the enormous need for a safety net."
Reaves expects about 485 million dollars in collections and 325 million in claims across all categories. She adds the fund is projected to remain solvent.
Webinars are scheduled for both employers and employees. More information can be found at ctpaidleave.org.