SANTA FE — After years of debate and dire predictions, a New Mexico law mandating employers provide paid sick leave for their workers is finally set to take effect this week.

The new law, technically known as the Healthy Workplaces Act, will make New Mexico one of 16 states that require businesses to allow their workers to take paid time off to deal with illness or injury – for themselves or family members.

The act mandates all private businesses – large or small – provide paid sick leave for all employees, whether part-time, full-time or seasonal employees. Employees will earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, or up to eight days annually for full-time employees.

The impact on small businesses has been the subject of back-and-forth testimony in recent years, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but backers say the new law will lead to increased employee retention.

Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, one of the sponsors of the 2021 bill set to be implemented July 1, predicted the paid sick leave law could also have a dramatic impact on the lives of workers around New Mexico.

“It’s a real game-changer for workers in the state,” Chandler said.

While she said the law could lead to some higher costs being passed on to consumers, she said it would make the state healthier by allowing sick workers to remain home and not risk losing their paychecks – or their jobs.

“We learned a lot during the pandemic, including the fact that workers who are sick need to...

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