Kentucky Paid Leave Preemption and Standards

Kentucky's wage and hour code under KRS Chapter 337 occupies the field of employer leave regulation. Following the Kentucky Supreme Court's preemption holding in the Louisville minimum wage case, local mandates requiring paid sick leave or paid family leave are likely preempted. Federal protections, including the Family and Medical Leave Act and the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, still apply. Public employers may negotiate leave through collective bargaining or set internal policies. State employees receive paid leave under KRS Chapter 18A administrative regulations.

Local paid leave mandates on private employers are likely unenforceable as preempted; FMLA violations are enforced through the U.S. Department of Labor.