§ 32–541.04a. Expansion of paid-leave benefits and employer contribution rate change.

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on October 13, 2024. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Permanent Version.*

(a) By March 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") shall update estimates of the projected cost of the paid-leave program established by this this subchapter.

(b)(1) On or before March 1 of each year beginning with March 1, 2022, the CFO shall certify the:

(A) Fund balance of the Universal Paid Leave Fund;

(B) Projected annual revenues for the current fiscal year and future fiscal years, for the duration of the financial plan, to be deposited into the Universal Paid Leave Fund at the then-existing employer contribution rate;

(C) Projected annual expenditures from the Universal Paid Leave Fund at the benefit durations prescribed in § 32-541.04(e-1)(3) and allowable administrative expenditures; and

(D) Repealed.

(E) Projected employer contribution rate necessary to maintain the benefit durations prescribed in § 32-541.04(e-1)(3) and continued solvency of the Universal Paid Leave Fund.

(2) The Mayor shall incorporate the certification required pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection into the Mayor's annual submission of the District's multiyear budget and financial plan to the Council.

(3) Repealed.

(c)(1) Repealed.

(2) Repealed.

(d)(1) At least 60 days before implementation of any paid-leave benefit expansion or the first employer contribution to the District is due after an employer contribution rate change, the Mayor shall prescribe and provide to covered employers an update to the notice required under§ 32-541.06(i). The Mayor may conduct a public-education campaign to inform individuals of expanded benefits. Costs of the notice and campaign authorized under this subsection shall be payable pursuant to § 32-551.02(c)(1), from the Universal Paid Leave Administration Fund.

(2) A public education campaign conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:

(A) Updated programmatic notices sent electronically to all covered employers, which shall be distributed to their covered employees;

(B) At least 3 webinars, of which at least one shall be offered during evening hours or on the weekend, that are open to the public and that shall be promoted through multiple methods of communication at least 2 weeks before they occur; and

(C) Promotional mailers, including postcards, sent to all households with residents enrolled in the District's Medicaid or Health Care Alliance Program, and other households as determined by the Mayor.