State employees; authorize to buy back leave time used while taking FMLA leave.

HB 1249 would allow Mississippi state employees to recover personal or medical leave they used to receive pay during federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave by repaying the amount they were paid. Employees would pay back the exact compensation received during that leave period, and their leave balance would be restored. The bill does not change FMLA leave rules but provides a specific process for restoring accrued leave time. If enacted, the policy would take effect on July 1, 2026.