Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes paid sick leave for in-house healthcare workers and prohibits retaliatory action from employers.

Highlights:

• Defines “employee” as an essential worker who works on average at least 20 hours per week or 90 hours per month, and specifies it does not include an individual who (Sec. 1):

• Is licensed, registered, or employed by a health regulatory board within the Department of Health Professions;

• Is employed by the hospital licensed by the Department of Health; and

• Works, on average no more than 30 hours per month.

• Defines “essential worker” as employees identified by the Commissioner as essential, which includes (Sec. 1):

• Law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and other first responders;

• Health care providers;

• Long-term care providers;

• Food manufacturing and supplier workers;

• Home care or childcare providers;

• Domestic workers;

• Educators and support staff;

• Transportation workers;

• Cleaning and security workers; and

• Prison or jail staff.

• Defines “paid sick leave” as leave that is compensated by the employer at the same hourly rate and with the same benefits, including health care benefits, as an employee normally earns during hours worked (Sec. 1).

• Requires that all employees accrue a minimum of one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked and be carried over to the following year if left unused (Sec. 1).

• Requires paid sick leave to begin being accrued at the start of employment (Sec. 1).

• Exempts an employer from the aforementioned provisions on paid sick leave policies if they provide a paid time off policy (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an employer from discharging, disciplining, threatening, discriminating against, or penalizing an employee, or taking retaliatory action regarding any employee’s compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privileges of employment because the employee requested or exercised the aforementioned benefits (Sec. 1).

• Exempts any retail business with fewer than 25 employees from the aforementioned provisions related to paid sick leave (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text