The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act was passed last Friday and requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide up to five days of paid sick leave. Businesses with fewer than 15 employees have to provide five unpaid sick days.
Governor Hogan vetoed the Act last May, and proposed his own paid sick leave legislation. However, both the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate passed the legislation with enough votes to override such a veto last week.
Accordingly, when the General Assembly overrides a veto the law becomes effective thirty days later. There are efforts being prepared to delay the effective date of paid sick leave so that employers have an opportunity to learn the law. Nevertheless, the fact remains that employers will be bound by this law and need to implement compliant policies.
We will continue to track the status of paid sick leave in Maryland. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding Maryland’s Healthy Working Families Act and how it may affect your business, please contact your Human Resource or Legal representative.
