Advocacy News – Nov. 7, 2024
Earlier today, bipartisan legislation was introduced to amend the Earned Sick Time Act (House Bill 6057) and minimum wage law (House Bill 6056). The bills, introduced by State Reps. Graham Filler and Nate Shannon were referred to the House Regulatory Affairs Committee.
Why it matters: The countdown to Feb. 21 – the effective date of the new paid leave and minimum wage laws – has begun. Lawmakers have a limited number of session days remaining to pass practical and commonsense legislation to lessen the harm of the Supreme Court’s decision on these issues. The Chamber and businesses community as a whole are not looking to roll back the substantive provisions of these laws, but instead have lawmakers act to make sure these laws are workable and implementable for businesses and workers alike. Absent a bipartisan legislative solution, the new Earned Sick Time Act will force employers of all sizes and types (even those with generous policies today!) to rethink their existing paid leave policies and businesses with tipped employees will see tremendous pressures around the tipped minimum wage changes.
What’s next: The 2023-24 legislative session is almost over, but the legislature is scheduled to meet the weeks of Nov. 1, Dec. 2, Dec. 9, and Dec. 16. Each chamber must hold a bill for at least five days before voting, so it’s imperative that the House advance the bills to the Senate as soon as possible. We remain hopeful that a deal can be found to get these bills to the Governor’s desk prior to the end of 2024.
Go deeper and take action: Make your voice heard with lawmakersby participating in quick and easy action alerts (emails to lawmakers):
Have questions?: The Chamber is hosting live FAQ sessions with employment law attorneys to help employers understand their compliance obligations with the Earned Sick Time Act (as written). The next one is on Nov. 19 with Butzel. Register now!
Contact Wendy Block with questions.