HB 5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Employment; paid sick leave; civil penalties; civil actions. Requires one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked for all employees of private employers and state and local governments, with certain exceptions. The bill requires that employees who are employed and compensated on a fee-for-service basis accrue paid sick leave in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry. The bill provides that employees transferred to a separate division or location remain entitled to previously accrued paid sick leave and that employees retain their accrued paid sick leave under any successor employer. The bill allows employers to provide a more generous paid sick leave policy than prescribed by its provisions and specifies that employees, in addition to using paid sick leave for their physical or mental illness or to care for a family member, may use paid sick leave to seek or obtain certain services or to relocate or secure an existing home due to domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. The bill requires the Commissioner to promulgate regulations for the implementation and enforcement of the bill's provisions by July 1, 2027.The bill authorizes the Commissioner, in the case of a knowing violation, to subject an employer to a civil penalty not to exceed $150 for the first violation, $300 for the second violation, and $500 for each successive violation. The Commissioner or Attorney General may commence administrative proceedings or bring a civil action to enforce the bill's provisions. Additionally, the bill authorizes an aggrieved employee to bring a civil action against the employer in which he may recover double the amount of any unpaid sick leave and the amount of any actual damages suffered as the result of the employer's violation. Certain provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027. This bill is identical to SB 199.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 48

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 12, 2026Governor's Recommendation
2. April 12, 2026Governor's recommendation received by House
3. April 2, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB5)
4. March 31, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
5. March 31, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
6. March 31, 2026Signed by Speaker
7. March 30, 2026Signed by President
8. March 30, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB5ER)
9. March 30, 2026Enrolled
10. March 23, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB5)
11. March 13, 2026Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 14-N 0-A)
12. March 13, 2026Conference report agreed to by House (61-Y 35-N 0-A)

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history