Insights

On May 14, 2025, Gov. Kotek signed HB 3021 into law, which allows an authorized agent to act on behalf of a deceased or incapacitated individual in matters related to Paid Leave Oregon claims. Specifically, if a covered individual dies or becomes incapacitated before submitting a claim for payment of family and medical leave insurance benefits or before a final decision has been made regarding the approval or denial of a pending or existing claim, an authorized agent may engage in any of the fo

As a refresher, "point solution" programs are specific services that add value to an employer's major medical plan or benefits program. Point solution programs are generally provided through third-party vendors. They often target benefit plan enhancements that range from specific condition management to digital solutions and apps to overall benefit program simplification. Some common examples of services provided through point solution programs include fertility, musculoskeletal, developmental

On May 7, 2025, in Watson v. EMC Corp., a U.S. District Court in Colorado ruled in favor of a plaintiff’s claim against the defendant, EMC Corporation, granting the plaintiff’s request for equitable relief on an ERISA fiduciary breach claim. Background The plaintiff, Marie Watson, sued EMC Corporation, her husband’s former employer, for leading her husband to believe his basic life insurance coverage remained in force following the termination of his employment. The plaintiff’s husband was insu

On May 30, 2025, Gov. Polis signed SB 25-144 into law, which includes several updates to the CO FAMLI program. Beginning January 1, 2026, the duration of paid family and medical leave will be extended up to an additional 12 weeks for a parent who has a child receiving inpatient care in a neonatal intensive care unit. The act also changes the premiums financing the program benefits by extending the current premium amount of 0.9% of wages per employee through 2025 and setting the premium amount f

Gov. Lamont recently signed HB 7288, which expands paid leave and state FMLA coverage to certain school employees. Beginning October 1, 2025, “noncertified school employees” of both public schools and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools will be eligible for paid leave and state FMLA. Previously, all employees of nonpublic elementary or secondary schools were exempt; public school employees were exempt unless coverage was required under a collectively bargained agreement. This change only

On May 19, 2025, the Council of the District of Columbia enacted an amendment to the Universal Paid Leave (UPL) law related to short-term disability insurance. The new law prohibits an insurer from offsetting or reducing benefits or income available to an eligible individual under a temporary or short-term disability insurance policy based on estimated or actual benefits an eligible individual may receive under UPL. Under the District of Columbia Universal Paid Leave law, eligible employees may

On May 29, 2025, Gov. Green signed SB 855 into law, amending the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program (HRSP) to require covered employers to automatically enroll covered employees in the program. This includes withholding and remitting payroll deduction contributions unless the covered employee elects not to participate. Covered employers will also be required to provide employees with written notice of the employee’s right to opt out. The state has not yet announced a launch date for the HRSP. Em

On April 8, 2025, Gov. Moore signed HB 895 into law, which amends certain military definitions under the paid family and medical leave (PFML) law and family military leave law. Specifically, an employee may now take leave for a qualifying exigency under the paid family and medical leave law insurance program (FAMLI) to attend uniformed services events (currently military events) and related activities, including family support programs related to the eligible service member's active duty. An em

On June 16, 2025, the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) published the adopted rules for implementing the MN Paid Leave law. The MN legislature passed the paid leave law in 2023 and charged the DEED with building and managing the program. The newly adopted rules include requirements for electing coverage, employee/employer notifications, intermittent leave, and private plans. Paid family and medical leave coverage will be available to all eligible MN employees beginning