FL S0294

Creates the Healthy Working Families Act requiring employers with more than 9 employees to provide paid earned sick and safe leave, and employers with fewer than 10 employees to provide unpaid earned sick and safe leave, accruing at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, effective October 1, 2016.

Establishes that employees may use earned sick and safe leave for mental or physical illness, preventive care, public health emergencies, care of family members exposed to communicable disease, and for purposes related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Limits employee use to 3-month waiting period before first use, maximum 56 hours earned per year, and maximum 80 hours used per year; allows employers to award full year's leave upfront rather than as it accrues.

Requires employers to maintain records of accrued and used leave for 3 years, provide written statements of available leave with wage payments, and display notices informing employees of their rights in English and Spanish.

Permits employees to file civil actions for violations with penalties including unpaid leave value, economic damages up to treble damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief; prohibits employers from taking adverse action against employees exercising rights under the act.