H.B. 1659 Summary

• Establishes paid sick leave requirements for Hawaii employers, requiring employees who work more than 80 hours annually to accrue a minimum of one hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours per calendar year.

• Allows employees to use accrued paid sick leave beginning on the 90th calendar day of employment for mental or physical illness, medical care, preventive care, domestic abuse/sexual assault situations, family member care, or closures due to public health emergencies.

• Requires employers to provide supplemental paid sick leave during declared public health emergencies, ensuring employees have at least 80 hours annually (for full-time workers) or 14 days of coverage (for part-time workers).

• Mandates employers notify employees of their paid sick leave rights through individualized notice or posted workplace signage in English and languages spoken by at least 5% of the workforce.

• Allows employees, the attorney general, or labor organizations to bring civil lawsuits for violations, with prevailing parties entitled to recover owed paid sick leave, actual damages, attorney's fees, and equitable relief; establishes a three-year statute of limitations.

• Takes effect July 1, 2024.