SB 322 – HB 915
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
March 8, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Rebecca Chandler | Email: rebecca.chandler@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
SB 322 – HB 915
SUMMARY OF BILL: Expands paid leave benefits for state employees by granting six
workweeks of paid leave for caring for a family member with a serious health condition. Allow
employees to take leave intermittently or on a reduced schedule instead of requiring it to be taken
consecutively. Broadens the definition of "family member" to include grandparents, siblings, and
individuals with close associations equivalent to family. Defines “serious health condition” to
include inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential facility, along with conditions requiring
ongoing medical treatment. Maintains the 6-week limit within a 12-month period, regardless of the
number of qualifying events.
FISCAL IMPACT:
OTHER FISCAL IMPACT
Due to multiple unknown variables, the timing and extent of the increase in state fiscal liability
cannot be reasonably calculated.
Assumptions:
• The proposed legislation expands the definition of family member to include a broader
range of relationships, such as grandparents, siblings, stepparents, domestic partners, and
individuals with a close association equivalent to family.
• The proposed legislation establishes a definition for serious health condition,
encompassing inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential facility, along with
conditions requiring ongoing medical treatment.
• The number of employees who will take leave for a sick family member is unknown.
• The need for leave will vary based on personal circumstances, including medical
emergencies, chronic conditions, and caregiving responsibilities.
• Not all employees will require leave in a given year, but the expanded definition of "family
member" increases the number of eligible individuals.
• Any accumulated annual leave at the time of an employee’s termination from state
government is paid-out based on the employee’s hourly rate at the time. While this will not
result in a direct annual fiscal impact, it could create a fiscal liability for the state.
• Due to multiple unknown variables, such as the number of expected state employees who
are estimated to annually experience the death of a child or stepchild, such employee’s paid
sick, annual, and compensatory balances, and termination dates, the timing and extent of
such increase in fiscal liability is currently unknown.
SB 322 – HB 915 2
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director