SB 0961 Summary

• Renames the "Paid Medical Leave Act" to the "Earned Sick Time Act" and expands coverage to all employers with 1 or more employees (previously 50+), eliminating most employee exemptions including part-time, temporary, and variable hour workers.

• Requires small businesses (fewer than 10 employees) to provide 1 hour of earned sick time per 30 hours worked, with a maximum of 40 paid hours plus 32 unpaid hours per year; all other employers must provide 1 hour per 30 hours worked with a maximum of 72 paid hours per year.

• Expands permitted uses of earned sick time to include declared emergencies and school meetings related to a child's disability or health issues, and adds new subsection (f) allowing use during emergencies declared by local, state, or federal officials for various emergency-related reasons.

• Prohibits retaliation against employees for requesting or using earned sick time, with a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if adverse action occurs within 90 days of protected activity; extends statute of limitations from 6 months to 3 years for filing complaints or civil actions.

• Increases penalties for violations to civil fines up to $1,000 for failing to provide earned sick time or taking retaliatory action, and repeals the Local Government Labor Regulatory Limitation Act (2015 PA 105).