Bill Summary:

The bill creates the "Healthy Families and Workplaces Act" (act), which requires employers to provide paid sick leave to employees under various circumstances. The act requires all employers in Colorado to provide paid sick leave to their employees, accrued at one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours. An employee: Begins accruing paid sick leave when the employee's employment begins; May use paid sick leave as it is accrued; and May carry forward and use in subsequent calendar years paid sick leave that is not used in the year in which it is accrued. Employees may use accrued paid sick leave to be absent from work for multiple purposes. In addition to the paid sick leave accrued by an employee, the act requires an employer to provide its employees an additional amount of paid sick leave during a public health emergency in an amount based on the number of hours the employee works. The act prohibits an employer from retaliating against an employee who uses the employee's paid sick leave or otherwise exercises the employee's rights under the act. Employers are required to notify employees of their rights under the act by providing employees with a written notice of their rights and displaying a poster. The act treats an employee's information about the employee's or a family member's health condition or domestic abuse, sexual assault, or harassment case as confidential. Employers, including public employers, that provide comparable paid leave to their employees and allow employees to use that leave as permitted under the act are not required to provide additional paid sick leave to their employees.

CEA Position Rationale: Paid sick leave increases the likelihood that individuals go to the doctor and seek out medicine, and kids will get check-ups and preventative care. Further this will likely decrease the chances that students come to school sick – risking getting others sick. Additionally, a minimum standard for sick leave in CO will mean no educator, student, or family member will lack paid sick leave.

Legislative Priorities: Mental Health and Socio-Emotional Health, Prioritize Working Families and Union Values, Dismantle Inequitable and Racist Structures

Tier: 2