Arkansas

Arkansas Paid Family Leave (AR VPFL)

Arkansas Paid Family Leave (AR VPFL)

Arkansas recently passed a new voluntary law allowing "Family Leave Insurance.", which amends Ark. Code Ann. 23-62-112.

The insurance commission may still establish rules to set standards for policies and other form submissions, which will be needed to understand the coordination of the new PFL benefits with expanded pregnancy benefits within short-term disability.

Coverage Options: Voluntary, fully insured paid family leave benefits available for insurance carriers to offer as an amendment or rider to a short-term disability policy, included in a short-term disability policy, or as a standalone policy. 

Benefits: The insurance codes do not establish minimum standards for family leave insurance other than the following absence reasons.

Absence reasons: Family leave insurance may replace all or part of an employee’s income loss due to the following events:

  • Birth of the employee’s child or adoption of a child by the employee
  • Placement of a child in the home of the employee for foster care 
  • Care of the employee’s family member who has a serious health condition
  • Circumstances arising because the employee's family member, who is a service member, is on active duty, or has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty

Contributions: Voluntary offering. No mandatory payroll contributions to support a state program. 

Key Dates:
February 17, 2023: Governor signed SB 111 
June 9, 2023: Law is effective (90 days after legislative session ends)

What is Paid Family & Medical Leave?

The information presented in this brochure is not legal advice and should not be relied upon or construed as legal advice. It is not permissible for MetLife or its employees or agents to give legal advice. The information in this brochure is for general informational purposes only and does not purport to be complete or to cover every situation. You must consult with your own legal advisors to determine how these laws will affect you. Like most insurance policies, insurance policies offered by MetLife and its affiliates contain certain exclusions, exceptions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force. Please contact MetLife or your plan administrator for complete details. Further, the information in this brochure does not reflect MetLife’s or any particular employer’s internal policies or the benefits available to its employees. All employees, regardless of employer, should consult with their own HR, benefits manager, or visit their HR website for information on the benefits available to them.