SCR 145 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING A PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE PROGRAM FOR THE STATE.

SCR 145 is a procedural resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to form a working group. This group would develop recommendations for creating a state-run paid family and medical leave program, directly affecting Hawaii's private-sector workers - especially those employed by small businesses (under 50 employees) - who currently lack access to paid leave. The resolution aims to address gaps where existing law only provides unpaid leave for larger employers, and highlights that only 25% of private workers in Hawaii currently have access to paid leave through their employers. The proposed program would allow workers to take time off for caregiving without losing income or jobs, while reducing financial burdens on small businesses compared to privately funded alternatives.

Sub-Topics: Paid Leave Labor Standards

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Last action Apr 22, 2025

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What changed between versions

SCR145 → SCR145_SD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reformatted from a traditional legislative document into a structured digital template with metadata fields. The substantive policy content was significantly expanded to include detailed instructions for a working group, specific composition requirements for committee members, and expanded directives for the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to conduct an actuarial study and develop implementation parameters for a paid family and medical leave program.

Scope change

The scope expanded from a simple request to convene a working group to include detailed mandates for the working group's composition, specific tasks, and a requirement to submit recommendations by a specific deadline.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific composition requirements for the working group, including representatives from various labor unions, business organizations, and advocacy groups.

Added a requirement for the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to conduct an actuarial study of the state's workforce and potential program costs.

Added detailed parameters the working group must address, including minimum leave duration, wage replacement systems, coverage definitions, and employment protections.

Expanded the working group's duties to include reviewing federal and state laws, conducting comparative analyses, and drafting proposed legislation.

TIMELINE

Added a specific deadline for the working group to submit its report: no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.

TECHNICAL

Converted the document format from traditional legislative text to a structured digital template with metadata fields for tracking and processing.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 789).

upper

Apr 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Adopted with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Muraoka, Pierick voting no (2) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).

lower

Apr 21, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to LAB, referral sheet 34

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from LAB (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2069), recommending referral to FIN.

lower

Apr 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Lee, M., Kapela, Kong, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Garrett.

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to LAB, FIN, referral sheet 28

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 516) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from LBT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1547) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in LBT were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Aquino, Lee, C., Ihara, Moriwaki, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on LBT has scheduled a public hearing on 03-24-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

Referred to LBT.

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Offered.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors