H.B. 593 Summary

• Creates a contract worker compensation grant program administered by the Director of Job and Family Services to provide weekly grants to individuals unable to perform contract work due to quarantine, isolation, or business closure orders from state and local health authorities or the federal CDC during public health emergencies.

• Requires employers to provide 14 days of quarantine or isolation pay to employees unable to work due to COVID-19-related quarantine, isolation, medical care, childcare closure, or other specified emergency reasons, expiring 91 days after the Executive Order 2020-01D emergency ends.

• Mandates employers provide newly accrued sick leave equal to one hour per 30 hours of service (maximum 56 hours) for the same qualifying reasons during the public health emergency period.

• Prohibits employers from terminating, disciplining, or taking adverse employment action against employees for using quarantine/isolation pay or sick leave, with enforcement through Director investigations and civil court actions.

• Appropriates funds from the Budget Stabilization Fund to the Job and Family Services Program Support account for fiscal years 2020-2021 to administer the grant program.