Connecticut Paid Family & Medical Leave

Summary

Connecticut offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave for family and medical reasons, with broad definitions of 'family' that include 'chosen family' (those you have a close, family-like bond with).

Rights & Rules

01.
You get 12 weeks of paid leave for your own illness, a family member's illness, or bonding with a new child.
02.
You can get an extra 2 weeks (14 weeks total) if the medical issue is related to pregnancy incapacitation.
03.
The law explicitly includes 'chosen family'—meaning you can take paid time off to care for someone who is not a blood relative but is functionally equivalent to family.
04.
The program replaces up to 95% of the wages for lower-income workers.

Penalties

01.
Retaliation is strictly prohibited; employers who fire or demote workers for taking leave can be sued for back pay, double damages, and attorney's fees.

Verified Citations

Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 557, Sec. 31-51kk

Source

"Family member means a spouse, sibling, son or daughter, grandparent, grandchild or parent, or an individual related to the employee by blood or affinity whose close association the employee shows to be the equivalent of those family relationships."