Julie Kushner

Senator Kushner Supportive of State Bond Commission Commits Funding for Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund

Today, State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) was supportive as the State Bond Commission allocated $5.25 million in funding to the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund. The funds given will finance the development of important platforms needed for the program, helping it better reach fruition before it begins disbursements to working families in 2022.

“Our Paid Family Leave program is so very popular with our constituents – it means that families struggling with illness, or celebrating the birth or adoption of a child, will no longer have to choose between a loved one and their job. As Senate Chair of the Labor Committee, I strongly support this important funding, which is going toward a program that will benefit families across Connecticut,” said Sen. Kushner. “Enhancing the employee contribution system and preparing this vital program are key to ensuring its success. Connecticut is investing in its workers through this latest role of funding. I’d like to thank Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for their commitment.”

The State Bond Commission today approved the release of $5,250,001 to finance the development of the employee contribution platform and associated software and licensing to implement the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program. This program, which will offer up to three months of paid time off to workers having children or experiencing significant medical needs in their family, will begin releasing funds to eligible workers starting in 2022. The funding will assist the completion of the program including enhancing the employee contribution system, implementing a benefits claims system, integrating data and reporting requirements and adding chatbot features to the Paid Leave Authority website.

These funds ensuring the program’s stability are important; in March, the state reported as many as 44,000 businesses still need to register to provide benefits to their employees. Streamlining remaining practices will make the program easier to access, ensuring the program’s longevity.