HARTFORD, CT — Beginning October 1, non-certified school employees in Connecticut will become eligible for benefits under CT Paid Leave and the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act (CT FMLA), thanks to new legislation recently passed by the General Assembly.
The law expands paid leave coverage to employees at public and non-public elementary and secondary schools whose roles do not require professional certification under Chapter 166 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Previously, local and regional school boards were not considered covered employers unless unionized staff negotiated participation, and non-public schools weren’t eligible at all. That changes this fall with the start of the new federal fiscal year.
“This expansion helps ensure that these school workers can take time off to heal from a serious illness or care for a loved one without the burden of lost income,” said Erin Choquette, CEO of the CT Paid Leave Authority. Since its launch in 2022, the program has provided over $1 billion in wage replacement to more than 165,000 workers across the state.
To qualify, employees must:
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Earn at least $2,325 during their highest-earning quarter within the base period
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Be employed by a covered employer within 12 weeks before the claim starts
Newly covered schools must:
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Register with the CT Paid Leave Authority
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Withhold a 0.5% payroll contribution from eligible employees
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Submit contributions quarterly
Certified positions (like teachers) remain excluded unless their union opts into the program through collective bargaining.
More updates and guidance will be available on the CT Paid Leave website in the coming months.
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