SB 54 - This act creates the Missouri Family and Medical Leave Program. Under this act, employees who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the previous 365-day period are permitted to take up to sixteen weeks of paid leave if they are unable to work because of one the following reasons: • Because of his or her own serious health condition; • For the purpose of caring for a family member with a serious health condition; • To bond with a child within one year of the birth or placement of the child in connection with foster care or adoption; or • For the purpose of participating in activities directly related to the educational advancement of the employee's child. Leave must be taken concurrent with any leave taken under the federal Family Medical Leave Act. Leave taken under this act may be in addition to any additional leave provided by an employer's leave program. Eligibility for leave under this act shall be established by filing a certificate of a health care provider that establishes the serious health condition of the employee or the employee's family member. Employers are required to pay employees who take leave under this act at a rate of 65% of the hourly rate at which such employee is paid in the normal course of employment, or $300 per week, whichever is greater. Employers who fail to comply with the leave requirements of this act shall be liable to affected employees for the full amount of wages owed plus an additional amount as liquidated damages. The act prohibits the discharge of, or discrimination against a person who takes family and medical leave. Employers who engage in such conduct may be held liable for damages. This act is identical to SB 983 (2016) and similar in concept to SB 69 (2017), HB 659 (2017), SB 1049 (2016), and HB 1161 (2015). SCOTT SVAGERA