ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The DFL-led Minnesota House on Thursday passed a proposal requiring Minnesotans get paid time off of work if they're sick or their safety is at risk.
Employees would accrue up to 48 hours, or six days, of paid time off, which could carry over if unused, but not exceed 80 hours in a single year. The "earned safe and sick time" plan, for example, covers medical appointments, short-term illness like a cold or flu, or caring for a child who may be out of school sick or because of an unexpected closure. A person would accrue one hour for every 30 hours worked.
It passed on a party-line vote of 69-54 just before midnight, after more than seven hours of debate.
"For over 900,000 Minnesota workers they don't have a single hour of paid time off to care for themselves or loved ones," said Rep. Liz Olson (DFL-Duluth), during a news conference ahead of the floor vote. "They are disproportionately women, BIPOC Minnesotans and low wage workers. These workers are faced with a terrible choice when they get sick: and can go into work, forgoing the time they would be taking care of themselves, or heading to the doctor."
The state requirement would extend to full-time and part-time employees and the provisions in the bill are the floor, not the ceiling, Olson added. Businesses could offer more generous time off benefits.
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