District of ColumbiaD.C. bars insurers from cutting short-term disability benefits over paid leave
Insurers must calculate short-term disability benefits for people eligible for D.C. paid leave without subtracting expected or actual leave benefits, even for policies issued elsewhere.
What it does
Until January 1, 2027, insurers cannot lower short-term disability benefits for people eligible for D.C. paid leave because of leave payments they receive or may receive, wherever the policy was issued.
Argument forEligible people could keep more of their disability benefits while receiving D.C. paid leave because insurers cannot subtract those leave payments.
Argument againstInsurers may bear more of a claim’s cost when an eligible customer also receives D.C. paid leave, since they cannot subtract it.
More detail
Insurers may not reduce disability benefits because of D.C. paid leave. This covers people eligible for D.C. paid leave who have individual or group temporary or short-term disability insurance, wherever the policy was issued or written. The rule covers leave benefits a person actually receives or may receive. The law took effect May 21, 2026, and expires January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 21Law Number L26-0117 Effective from May 21, 2026, Expires on Jan 01, 2027Latest
- Apr 9Transmitted to CongressMinor
- Mar 27Act A26-0278 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 005071
- Mar 23Returned from Mayor
- Mar 20Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0278Became Law
- Mar 10Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Mar 24, 2026To Governor
- Mar 3Final Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- Feb 13Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0574 Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Feb 3First ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded First Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- Feb 3Retained by the Council
- Jan 30B26-0574 Introduced by Councilmember Lewis George at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
Disability RightsConsumer Protection