HOUSE BILL 531

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Rebecca Dow and Patricio Ruiloba

AN ACT

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT; ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM TO REWARD SMALL-BUSINESS EMPLOYERS FOR THEIR ADOPTION OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE POLICIES; CREATING A FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] FAMILY-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.--

          A. The "family-friendly workplace incentive program" is created in the workforce solutions department, based on work done by a task force created pursuant to House Memorial 1 of the first session of the fiftieth legislature, to encourage small-business employers to adopt and implement workplace policies, including those concerning paid leave, health support, work schedules and economic support, considered family-friendly. A private-sector employer is eligible for a financial award through the program:

                (1) if the employer has fifty or fewer permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees in New Mexico; and

                (2) in an amount equal to fifty percent of the cost to the employer of adopting and implementing family-friendly workplace policies.

          B. The workforce solutions department shall work with a New Mexico organization that recognizes and supports businesses statewide that adopt and implement family-friendly workplace policies for their employees to:

                (1) establish policies and promulgate rules for the award of money through the family-friendly workplace incentive program; and

                (2) select recipients of those awards in accordance with its policies.

          C. The workforce solutions department shall administer awards made through the family-friendly workplace incentive program.

     SECTION 2. [NEW MATERIAL] FAMILY-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE FUND.--The "family-friendly workplace fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations, gifts, grants and donations to the fund and income from investment of the fund. Money in the fund shall not revert to any other fund at the end of a fiscal year. The workforce solutions department shall administer the fund, and money in the fund is appropriated to the workforce solutions department to implement the family-friendly workplace incentive program. Money in the fund shall be disbursed on warrants signed by the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of workforce solutions or the secretary's authorized representative.

     SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION.--Nine million dollars ($9,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the family-friendly workplace fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2020 and subsequent fiscal years to carry out the purpose of that fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2019.

- 3 -