Substitute House Bill No. 5005 - Summary

• Expands paid sick leave requirements to all employees (not just service workers), with phased implementation: 25+ employees starting January 1, 2025; 11+ employees starting January 1, 2026; 1+ employees starting January 1, 2027.

• Increases accrual rate from 1 hour per 40 hours worked to 1 hour per 30 hours worked, with maximum 40 hours per year, and allows up to 40 hours to carry over annually.

• Employees become eligible to use accrued paid sick leave after 120 calendar days of employment (instead of 680 hours), with no documentation requirements permitted.

• Expands permitted uses to include mental health wellness days, care for any family member (not just children/spouses), public health emergency closures, and situations where employee or family member poses communicable illness risk.

• Establishes penalties of $500 per violation for retaliation and $100 per violation for other violations; requires employers to post notices in English and Spanish and maintain records for three years.