2026 Paid Leave Legislative Trends and What They Mean for Employers

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

In Part Two of this two-part series, Josh Seidman and Dillon Clair shift their focus beyond Virginia to examine the broader national landscape of paid leave and leave of absence legislation in 2026. The discussion highlights activity and developments in states like Hawaii, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, where momentum continues to build through evolving proposals, amendments, and ongoing legislative debate.

The episode also explores emerging trends shaping the future of paid leave, including expanding definitions of covered family members, growing political influence on policy outcomes, and a marked increase in legislative activity nationwide. Josh and Dillon close with insights on federal efforts to harmonize the state patchwork of paid leave, offering practical perspective for employers navigating an increasingly complex compliance environment.

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