HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2148
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO FAMILY LEAVE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that approximately sixty-one thousand children under age eighteen live in homes where householders are grandparents or other relatives. Approximately forty-seven thousand of these children live with grandparents, according to a May 2017 fact sheet by Grandfamilies.org. The legislature also finds that there is a growing number of grandparents raising grandchildren and who are primary caretakers of their grandchildren. While Hawaii's family leave law allows employees to take family leave upon the birth of an employee's child, an employee's adoption of a child, or to care for an employee's child, spouse or reciprocal beneficiary, or a parent with a serious condition, family leave does not extend to care for employees' grandchildren.

The purpose of this Act is to extend family leave in the State to include care for employees' grandchildren.

SECTION 2. Section 398-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

1. By adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read:

""Sibling" means an individual who is a biological, adopted, or foster brother or sister; or a stepbrother or stepsister of an employee."

2. By amending the definition of "child" to read:

""Child" means an individual who is a biological, adopted, or foster son or daughter; a stepchild; a grandchild; or a legal ward of an employee."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Family Leave; Grandchildren; Sibling; Child Care

Description:

Extends Hawaii family leave to include care for employees' grandchildren. Defines "sibling". Amends the definition of "child" to include grandchildren. Takes effect on January 1, 2050. (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.