On June 8, 2026, Louisiana enacted the Paid Family Leave Insurance Act, allowing carriers to offer a new line of insurance for family leave reasons. The act enables insurers in the state to offer products covering paid family leave benefits but would not create a separate state-mandated paid leave program. Under the new law, benefits can be offered as a rider to disability coverage or as a standalone policy. It may cover leave for at least two weeks in a 52-consecutive-calendar-week period for reasons such as the birth of a child, adoption, or foster care, care for a family member with a serious health condition, and a qualifying military exigency. Premiums for new policies or riders will be calculated according to Social Security Act guidelines.
Employer Takeaway
The bill does not create a new employer mandate for paid family medical leave or any new employer reporting or disclosure requirements. Instead, the law allows for a new insurance product that employers may choose to purchase and offer as part of their benefits package. Employers interested in adding a new policy or rider should evaluate the law’s interactions with existing paid parental leave benefits, short-term disability coverage, and other employer-sponsored leave programs.
For more information, read Louisiana House Bill 591: Paid Family Leave Insurance Act.