Senate Bill 144, which makes technical changes to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act and adjusts certain program mechanics and coverage, was adopted by the Senate on March 18, 2025.

Senator Faith Winter, sponsor: “This amendment is some technical changes provided by the department, that includes the words additional and then clearly defines, the amount of coverage. It's 12 weeks,” Winter said when discussing an amendment at the desk.

Sponsors described SB 144 as a narrow set of clarifications and adjustments: an amendment clarified the length of coverage at 12 weeks, other changes address how the program’s contribution rate will be adjusted (noting a scheduled reduction from 0.9% to 0.88%), and a later amendment (L5) incorporated recommendations from a recent state audit to improve program operations. Supporters highlighted targeted coverage for parents with children in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and procedural fixes to stabilize employer and employee contributions.

Opponents pressed broader concerns. Senator Bazely objected to extending benefits beyond state employees and said the bill inappropriately projects state-level benefits onto private employers. Senator Liston said business owners had reported perceived abuses of the family-leave program and expressed concern about future contribution variability.

An amendment L5 (mover Senator Cutter) reflecting audit findings was adopted on the floor. After additional discussion and the adoption of amendments, the Senate adopted SB 144; the transcript records the action as “Senate bill 144 is adopted.”

Ending: Following adoption of SB 144, the Committee of the Whole rose and the Senate returned to the main floor to continue other calendar business.