Key Midyear 2026 State Leave Law Changes

Four states recently enacted changes to employee leave of absence laws. The following summary highlights the key provisions and effective dates.

Tennessee

Effective April 23, 2026, Tennessee added a new leave of absence for employees recovering from surgery related to organ donation. This law applies to all employers, including the state of Tennessee and its political subdivisions. Employees must meet eligibility requirements specified under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and are entitled to up to 12 weeks of absence for this leave reason.

Virginia

Effective July 1, 2026, Virginia added a new leave of absence for voluntary emergency responders. This law applies to members of a volunteer fire department, volunteer emergency medical services agency or auxiliary unit who are actively responding to an emergency alarm or during a state of emergency. However, employees designated as “essential” by statute or contract are not eligible. Employees taking leave under this law must meet specified notice and certification requirements.

Hawaii

The Hawaii Family Leave Law provides four weeks of leave during a calendar year for the birth or adoption of a child or to care for a family member with a serious health condition.

Effective July 1, 2026, this list of leave reasons will expand to include a qualifying military exigency. This new leave reason is based on the related federal Family and Medical Leave Act regulations and applies to qualifying exigencies related to active-duty service in the United States Armed Forces by an employee’s child, spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, sibling, grandchild or parent.

Louisiana

Louisiana is adding a new leave of absence for employees serving as organ or bone marrow donors, effective Aug. 1, 2026. This law applies to private employers with one or more employees, and all employees are eligible. Employees may take the amount of leave requested or up to 30 consecutive calendar days, whichever applies. Employers may grant additional leave at their discretion.

If you have questions or would like additional information about these laws, including how The Standard can support compliance efforts, please contact your account manager or a representative near you.