Ohio lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 396, a proposal that would create a statewide paid family and medical leave program for Ohio workers. The bipartisan bill would establish an insurance fund providing partial wage replacement benefits for employees, independent contractors, and business owners who take qualifying family or medical leave. If enacted, the proposal would significantly expand leave protections in Ohio beyond the unpaid leave currently available under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), creating new compliance considerations for Ohio employers.