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HR Guides | Apr 11, 2025

Navigating State-Based Paid Leave Laws: A Guide for Private Employers

Last Updated on April 11, 2025

Note: This blog is intended solely for private employers. It does not apply to public employers or government agencies.

As the landscape of employee benefits continues to evolve, private employers must stay informed about various state-mandated paid leave laws. These programs can include Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), state disability programs and provisions for continued health insurance beyond federal COBRA requirements. Compliance is critical- not only to avoid penalties, but also to support employee well-being and retention.

This guide provides a comprehensive state-by-state overview of current paid leave laws affecting private employers, highlighting key elements such as benefit structures, employer obligations and coordination with federal benefits. This guide will link directly to each state’s website, detailing their paid leave laws.

It is important to note that private employers should always double-check and confirm their state’s paid leave laws to ensure compliance with evolving laws and regulations.

Overview of Paid Leave Types

Before diving into the state-specific information, it’s important to understand the key types of state-mandated leave programs that may impact private employers:

Paid Family Leave (PFL): Allows employees to take paid time off to care for a family member, bond with a new child, or address certain military-related matters.
Paid Medical Leave (PML): Provides income replacement for employees who are unable to work due to their own serious health condition.
Short-Term Disability (STD): State-provided or mandated programs offering temporary wage replacement during medical absences.
Health Insurance Continuation: Some states have their own mini-COBRA laws or offer extended continuation rights beyond federal COBRA.

Note: For detailed information on state required paid sick leave by state, visit our article here.

State-by-State Breakdown (Private Employers Only)

Alabama

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA law; federal COBRA applies where applicable.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Alaska

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; only federal COBRA applies.
Paid Family Leave: No paid leave; offers 18 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave under the Alaska Family Leave Act.
Paid Medical Leave: No paid leave; 18 weeks of unpaid leave for serious health conditions.
Short-Term Disability: No state program; some employers offer private short-term disability coverage.

Arizona

Health Insurance Continuation: Arizona has a mini-COBRA law applicable to employers with fewer than 20 employees, offering continuation coverage similar to federal COBRA.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Arkansas

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA law; federal COBRA applies where applicable.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

California

Health Insurance Continuation: Cal-COBRA extends continuation coverage to employers with 2–19 employees, offering up to 36 months of coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Provides up to 8 weeks of paid through the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program.
- The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for employees of employers with 5 or more employees. Qualifying reasons include the birth or adoption of a child, caring for a family member with a serious health condition or the employee’s own serious health condition.
- Funding: Employee payroll deduction.
Paid Medical Leave: SDI offers up to 52 weeks of paid medical leave for eligible employees.
Short-Term Disability: SDI covers short-term disabilities, including pregnancy-related conditions.

Colorado

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family and Medical Leave: The Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave for family or medical reasons.
- Funding: Employee payroll contribution.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Connecticut

Health Insurance Continuation: Connecticut’s mini-COBRA law applies to all employers, offering up to 30 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family and Medical Leave: Offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave through the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Authority.
- Funding: Employee payroll contributions.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Delaware

Health Insurance Continuation: Delaware has a mini-COBRA law covering employers with 1–19 employees; coverage can continue for up to 9 months.
Paid Family and Medical Leave: Delaware Paid Leave (begins 2026).
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Florida

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers not subject to federal COBRA, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Georgia

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers offering group health plans, providing up to 3 months of continuation coverage; individuals 60 or older can continue until eligible for Medicare or another plan.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Hawaii

Health Insurance Continuation: No mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Family Leave: No paid program; up to 4 weeks of unpaid family leave under Hawaii Family Leave Law (HFLL) for employers with 100+ employees. Employees may use accrued paid time off.
Paid Medical Leave: Paid medical leave required under Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI); covers non-work-related illness/injury, including pregnancy. Provides ~58% of average weekly wages up to a state-set cap.
Short-Term Disability: Covered by Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program; mandatory for private employers.

Idaho

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Illinois

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 12 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave, however, employees can utilize up to 40 hours of paid leave annually under Paid Leave for All Workers Act (PLAWA) for any reason, including family-related needs.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave; employees may use PLAWA leave for personal medical reasons.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Indiana

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Iowa

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 9 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave, however, employers are required to provide unpaid leave of up to 8 weeks to pregnant employees or those who have recently given birth when sufficient leave isn’t available.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave, however, employers are required to provide unpaid leave of up to 8 weeks to pregnant employees or those who have recently given birth when sufficient leave isn’t available.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Kansas

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Kentucky

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Louisiana

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 12 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Maine

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 12 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Earned Paid Leave; Effective January 1, 2026, provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: EPL; Effective January 1, 2026, provides up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave.
- Funding: Employee payroll contributions.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Maryland

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Family and Medical Leave Insurance; Effective January 1, 2026, provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: Family and Medical Leave Insurance; Effective January 1, 2026, provides up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave.
- Funding: Employee payroll contributions.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Massachusetts

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with 2–19 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave; Provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave; Provides up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave.
- Funding: Employee payroll contributions.
Short-Term Disability: Covered under the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program.

Michigan

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Minnesota

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Minnesota Paid Leave; Effective January 1, 2026, provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave, funded by payroll contributions.
Paid Medical Leave: Minnesota Paid Leave;Effective January 1, 2026, provides up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave.
- Funding: Employee payroll contributions.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Mississippi

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Missouri

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
- Victims Economic Safety and Security Act (VESSA); employers with 20 or more employees provide unpaid, job-protected leave and reasonable safety accommodations to employees who are victims of domestic or sexual violence, or have a family or household member who is a victim.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Montana

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Nebraska

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 6 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Nevada

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave, however, employers must provide Paid Leave for Any Reason (employers with 50+ employees must provide up to 40 hours of paid leave annually, usable for any reason).
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave, however, employers must provide Paid Leave for Any Reason (employers with 50+ employees must provide up to 40 hours of paid leave annually, usable for any reason).
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

New Hampshire

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 39 weeks of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Offers a voluntary paid family leave program for employers and employees; not mandatory.
Paid Medical Leave: Offers a voluntary paid medical leave program for employers and employees; not mandatory.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

New Jersey

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: Provides up to 26 weeks of paid medical leave through the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program.
- Funding: Employee payroll contributions.
Short-Term Disability: Covered under the TDI program; mandatory for private employers.

New Mexico

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 6 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

New York

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 36 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.
- Funding: Employee payroll contributions.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program; however, employees may be eligible for benefits under the state’s Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program.
Short-Term Disability: Mandatory for private employers; provides up to 26 weeks of partial wage replacement for off-the-job illnesses or injuries.

North Carolina

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

North Dakota

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 39 weeks of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Ohio

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 12 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Oklahoma

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 63 days of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Oregon

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 9 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Paid Leave Oregon; Provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: Paid Leave Oregon; Provides up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave.
- Funding: Employer and employee contributions.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Pennsylvania

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 9 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Rhode Island

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Provides up to 6 weeks of paid family leave through the Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program.
Paid Medical Leave: Provides up to 30 weeks of paid medical leave through the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program.
Short-Term Disability: Covered under the TDI program; mandatory for private employers.

South Carolina

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

South Dakota

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage regardless of employer size, allowing continuation of health insurance after qualifying events.
Paid Family Leave: Provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave for eligible state employees following the birth or adoption of a child.
Paid Medical Leave: Offers up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave for eligible state employees for qualifying medical conditions.
Short-Term Disability: State employees may access short-term disability insurance, which can be used for recovery after childbirth and other qualifying conditions

Tennessee

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Texas

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Utah

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 12 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Vermont

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Voluntary Family and Medical Leave; Provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: Voluntary Family and Medical Leave; Provides up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave.
- Funding: Employer and employee contributions.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Virginia

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 12 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Washington

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 12 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave; Provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Paid Medical Leave: Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave; Provides up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave.
- Funding: Employer and employee contributions.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

West Virginia

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Wisconsin

Health Insurance Continuation: Offers mini-COBRA coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees, providing up to 18 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Wyoming

Health Insurance Continuation: No state mini-COBRA; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20+ employees.
Paid Family Leave: No state-mandated paid family leave program.
Paid Medical Leave: No state-mandated paid medical leave program.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Washington, D.C.

Health Insurance Continuation: Applies to small employers with 1–20 employees, offering up to 3 months of continuation coverage.
Paid Family and Medical Leave: Provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave, 12 weeks of paid medical leave, and 2 weeks of prenatal leave; Universal Paid Leave.
- Funding: Employer payroll taxes.
Short-Term Disability: No state-mandated short-term disability program; coverage may be available through private insurance.

Final Thoughts on Navigating State-Based Leave Laws

While only a subset of states currently mandates paid family and medical leave or provides extended health continuation, legislation is evolving quickly. Multi-state private employers must track applicable obligations by location to stay compliant and avoid liability.

Questions about compliance in your specific states? We can help assess your exposure and create a strategy to align with both federal and state mandates. To learn more, contact MyHRConcierge at 855-538-6947 ext. 108 or email ccooley@myhrconcierge.com. Or, schedule a free consultation below:

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