On March 15, U.S. Senators Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) introduced the Healthy Families Act, legislation that would guarantee seven paid sick days per year to employees working at least 30 hours a week at companies with 15 or more workers. Under the bill, the sick days could be used for the employee’s own medical condition, as well as doctor appointments or medical treatment, as well as to care for an ill family member. Pro rata paid sick leave benefits would be available to part-time employees. The measure provides benefits similar to those under the new San Francisco paid sick leave ordinance that took effect last month.
Our HR Management & Compliance Report: How To Comply with California and Federal Leave Laws, covers everything you need to know to stay in compliance with both state and federal law in one of the trickiest areas of compliance for even the most experienced HR professional. Learn the rules for pregnancy and parental leaves, medical exams and certifications, intermittent leaves, required notices, and more.
Announcing the legislation, Sen. Kennedy stated that almost half of private-sector workers currently do not get paid sick days. The Healthy Families Act benefit “66 million Americans: 46 million would gain access to paid sick days; 19 million would gain paid sick days for leave for doctors’ visits and family care; and 1 million Americans would gain additional paid sick days.”
We’ll keep you posted on the status of this bill.
Additional Resources:
H.R. 1542 Healthy Families Act