Establishing the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Benefits Act

HB 2900 establishes West Virginia's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Benefits Act, creating a state-run insurance program to provide wage replacement for eligible workers taking leave for family or medical reasons. The program requires contributions from employees and employers (with self-employed individuals able to opt in under specific conditions) and provides benefits for up to 12 weeks annually for qualifying events like childbirth, caring for a sick family member, or serious personal health conditions. It protects workers from retaliation for using benefits, integrates with existing federal family and medical leave laws, and creates a dedicated fund managed by the Insurance Commissioner. The law directly affects West Virginia workers and employers, replacing the need for employers to provide unpaid leave through this insurance-based system.