HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	491
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO A LEAVE GRANT PROGRAM.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§201- Leave grant program. (a) There is established within the department a paid leave grant program to help small businesses offer their employees paid:

(1) Family leave; and

(2) Sick leave.

(b) Grants shall be used to cover expenses associated with paid family leave and sick leave.

(c) In selecting businesses for grant awards, the department shall give preference to small businesses that are nonprofit corporations.

(d) Each awardee, on an annual basis, and until all grant moneys are expended, shall provide to the department documentation to certify that grant moneys were expended in accordance with the subsection (b).

(e) If an awardee fails to comply with subsection (b) or (d), or if the awardee uses grant moneys in a manner not authorized by this section or rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91, the awardee shall be liable to the State for the misspent or unaccounted grant moneys, as applicable.

(f) Chapters 42F and 103D shall not apply to the leave grant program.

(g) For purposes of this section, "small business" means a corporation, including a nonprofit corporation; limited liability company; partnership; limited partnership; sole proprietorship; or other legal entity that:

(1) Is domiciled and authorized to do business in Hawaii;

(2) Is owned and operated independently from any other business entity; and

(3) Employs fewer than fifty full-time or part-time employees."

(h) The department shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, necessary for the purposes of this section."

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purposes of the leave grant program established pursuant to section 1 of this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DBEDT; Paid Family Leave; Sick Leave; Grants; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism a leave grant program to help small businesses offer their paid family leave and sick leave. Appropriates moneys.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.