HB557 Summary: Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act

• Requires employers to provide minimum 8.40 hours of paid sick and safe time per 80 hours worked, with annual accrual capped at 101.20 hours (or 202 hours for small businesses), beginning on the 12th day of employment.

• Permits employees to use accrued paid sick and safe time for their own medical care, family member care, public health emergencies, and absences due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

• Prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who use paid sick and safe time, file complaints, or cooperate with investigations; establishes rebuttable presumption of unlawful retaliation if adverse action occurs within 90 days.

• Provides civil remedies including recovery of unpaid sick and safe time, actual damages, equal liquidated damages, attorney's fees, and equitable relief such as reinstatement and injunctive relief; two-year statute of limitations and allows class actions.

• Requires employers to post notice of paid sick and safe time rights in English and any language spoken by at least 5% of workforce; Department of Labor enforces the act through rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.