Rhode Island Expands Family Leave; Increases Unemployment Benefits

Rhode Island has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 2121A), which increases both the length of leave available to employees under the Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) law and the minimum dependent allowance. The law is set to take effect in two parts: on Jan.  1, 2025, and on Jan. 1, 2026.

The details

Background

Under current TCI law, eligible Rhode Island employees:

• Are entitled to up to six weeks of partial wage replacement (fully funded by employee payroll deductions) and job protections to care for a newborn, or newly adopted child, or to care for a family member with a serious health condition;
  
  
• Must be out on leave for the entire duration of their leave period to collect benefits (intermittent leave is not allowed);
  
  
• Must notify their employers in writing at least 30 days prior to the start of the leave (or as soon as practical if there are unforeseen circumstances); and
  
  
• Are entitled to return to their position or to a position with equivalent seniority, status, employment benefits, pay, and other terms and conditions, including fringe benefits, upon their return from leave.
  
  

Senate Bill 2121A

The amount of leave employees are entitled to under the TCI law increases as follows:

Minimum Dependent Allowance

Rhode Island has also increased the minimum dependent allowance (benefits to be paid to an employee during a period of unemployment due to an employee illness that is based on factors such as the number of eligible dependents). The Rhode Island minimum dependent allowance is scheduled to increase from $10.00 per week to $20.00 per week on Jan. 1, 2025.

Note: Employees continue to be entitled to the greater of the minimum dependent allowance or 7% of their weekly benefit amount for each dependent.

Next steps

Review leave policies and procedures and train supervisors to help ensure compliance with Senate Bill 2121A.