An effort to delay implementation of a paid sick leave law in Maryland appears close to dead after the Senate failed to take a vote Tuesday morning.
A bill sponsored by Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton would push back implementation of last year’s Maryland Healthy Working Families Act until July 1 to allow more time for businesses, government agencies and community colleges to prepare for it. Despite approval from the Senate Finance Committee, which Middleton chairs, the Senate has twice delayed taking a vote on the floor.
The paid sick leave law will go into effect on Feb. 11 unless both the Senate and the House pass Middleton’s bill. At this point, even if the Senate does eventually pass the bill, it is unlikely the House would have enough time to hold a hearing and have its own vote. Additionally, House Democrats have expressed hesitation about delaying the paid sick leave law because they are concerned Republicans will try to further amend the law.
The majority-Democrat General Assembly originally passed the the paid sick leave law last year. The law requires businesses with 15 or more employees to offer up to five days of paid sick leave, while employers with fewer than 15 workers will need to provide five unpaid sick days.
