Legislation would provide emergency sick leave during pandemic

Two bills recently introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly aim to provide emergency paid sick leave for employees affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

The companion bills, introduced in each chamber, are designed to enhance and extend the provisions of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

The bills would provide emergency paid sick leave for all employees in addition to any sick leave already provided in the event of a disaster emergency; extend paid sick leave to those laid off, caring for children, or whose workplaces have closed; and guarantee re-employment for employees returning from leave.

The bills were introduced by Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) and Rep. Joe Hohenstein (D-Bridesburg).

“Our response to this crisis must be focused on workers and their families who have sacrificed the most to our mitigation effort,” Farnese said. “Pennsylvania just set a new high for daily death rate and it’s no time to roll back our mitigation. Instead, we need to deliver protections for working families that will keep communities healthy and safe.”

The bills are an attempt to protect public health by ensuring sick workers stay home, Hohenstein said.

The legislatures began circulating co-sponsorship memos more than a week ago.