Overview. On July 10, 2017, Hawaii amended its existing family and medical leave statute to permit time off to care for a sibling and makes other technical amendments to the Hawaii Family Leave Law.
Details. Amendments to Hawaii’s Family Leave Law add that a sibling’s serious health condition is a permissible reason for an employee to take family and medical leave. The amendment also clarifies that the employee notice requirement—which requires that where the need for family leave is foreseeable, the employee must provide the employer with at least 30 days’ written notice—applies when family and medical leave is taken for the birth or adoption of a child, or to provide care to a child, spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, sibling, or parent.
Under the Hawaii Family Leave Law, when leave is to care for a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition, the employee must submit medical certification from the health care provider of the individual requiring care. The amendment adds that this requirement also applies when leave is to care for a reciprocal beneficiary, spouse, or sibling with a serious health condition.
Call to Action. Employers should review and revise, if necessary, family and medical leave policies, and train HR and supervisory staff on the amended law’s requirements
As always, please contact your relationship manager or service team with any questions.