Colorado SHRM Testifies Against FAMLI Bill

On February 6, 2018, Colin A. Walker, Legislative Director of the Colorado SHRM State Council (COSHRM), and Kelly Marinelli, President of the Boulder Area Human Resources Association, testified in opposition to House Bill 18-1001, the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act (“FAMLI”). As discussed in a previous article, COSHRM Board of Directors voted to oppose this bill and instructed Mr. Walker to make its position known to the Colorado Legislature and the public. On February 6, the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee conducted a hearing on the bill before a packed audience. Over 20 individuals testified in favor of the bill. Others, including small business owners, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, and the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI), joined COSHRM in testifying against the bill. Mr. Walker and Ms. Marinelli explained that FAMLI would be unduly burdensome on small businesses, that inconsistencies with the FMLA would complicate compliance, that requiring employees to pay for benefits they might never receive was questionable, and that the language of the bill is vague and confusing. Several legislators asked questions, to which Ms. Marinelli responded. This marks the first time that COSHRM has taken an official position on legislation and testified, through its representatives, before the Colorado Legislature. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Committee made two minor amendments and then referred the bill to the House Finance Committee. COSHRM will continue to monitor this bill and will keep the membership appraised of significant developments.