Expansion of Sick and Safe Leave Law

Today the Council unanimously approved Bill 32-16 that will extend the provisions of the County’s paid leave law for certain parental purposes. The bill will add two related purposes for which use of paid leave accrued under the Earned Sick and Safe Leave law will be permitted. The bill will permit the use of paid leave for the birth of a child or for the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care. It also will allow use of the leave to care for a newborn, newly adopted or newly placed child within one year of birth, adoption or placement.

The Council in July 2015 enacted Bill 60-14 that requires an employer doing business in the County to provide a minimum amount of paid leave for an employee who works in the County. Bill 60-14 was enacted with an effective date of October 1, 2016. Bill 32-16 will go into effect immediately as expedited legislation.