By MADISON HIRNEISEN
THE CENTER SQUARE
(The Heart Sq.) – California may quickly lengthen COVID-19 supplemental paid sick go away by December and supply grants to sure nonprofits and companies below a finances invoice superior by lawmakers on Monday.
The invoice expands upon present supplemental paid sick go away provisions handed in February that provide California employees as much as 80 hours of supplemental paid sick go away.
The legislation specified that employees have been entitled to no less than 40 hours of COVID-19 sick go away to finish a quarantine interval, to maintain a member of the family who has been instructed to quarantine or is taking good care of a toddler whose faculty or daycare has closed because of COVID-19. Underneath the legislation, employees may obtain an extra 40 hours if the worker or a member of the family examined constructive for COVID-19.
These provisions, which have been set to run out Sept. 30, can be expanded by Dec. 31 below the finances trailer invoice. Lawmakers superior the invoice within the Senate Price range and Fiscal Evaluation Committee on Monday. Lawmakers didn’t talk about the estimated price of the improved paid sick go away on employers.
Underneath the prevailing legislation, California employers can require workers to submit a second diagnostic check on the fifth day after the worker initially examined constructive. This invoice additional permits the employer to require workers who check constructive a second time to take one other check after 24 hours, although employers should pay to offer each exams.
The invoice specifies that an employer has “no obligation” to offer further COVID-19 sick go away if workers refuse to submit proof of constructive exams.
The unique invoice reinstating COVID-19 sick go away in February was signed after the state noticed surging case charges all through January. Whereas the state just isn’t at present amid a surge, supporters of increasing the paid sick go away provisions by the top of the yr mentioned Monday it could supply key pay protections for employees.
The invoice additionally establishes a grant program for smaller companies and nonprofits with between 26 to 49 workers to assist offset a few of the prices related to the expanded sick go away.
Certified companies and nonprofits can request grants to cowl the prices of supplemental paid go away, with grants capped at $50,000. To qualify, companies should be at present working and have been operational previous to June 1, 2021.
Lawmakers have till the top of the day Wednesday to get the invoice out of the Legislature and despatched to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
