HARTFORD, Conn. — Gov. Ned Lamont recently signed several bills into law, including one expanding paid sick days.
That was a major priority for some Democrats this past session. Now, starting Jan. 1, 2025, workers will have more access to paid time off.
Supporters are praising Lamont for signing the bill to expand paid sick leave, saying it will protect low-income workers.
Right now, only employers with at least 50 workers or more must provide up to 40 hours of paid sick time every year.
That law will now gradually expand, covering private sector employers with at least 25 employees in 2025, those with at least 11 employees by 2026 and eventually nearly all businesses with at least one employee in 2027.
The bill does exempt seasonal employees and certain union construction workers.
The measure also broadens the reasons employees may use the leave, including events like closures due to a public health emergency and quarantines, and prohibits businesses from requiring employees to provide documentation to support their reasons for taking time off.
While it received support, legislative Republicans say the measure will crush jobs and small businesses.
“This will hurt employers and employees by eliminating their ability to negotiate employment terms themselves,” said Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding and Ranking Senator on the Labor and Public Employees Committee Rob Sampson in a statement.
A measure lawmakers across the aisle both got behind, though, is protections for healthcare workers.
Starting Oct. 1, home health care and aide agencies must collect information from prospective clients — like psychiatric history, history of violence, domestic abuse or substance use — and give it to any employee assigned to that client.
It also mandates home health agencies train staff on safety-related issues, conduct monthly safety assessments, and give staff ways to perform safety checks, like via phone apps.
Agencies and their staff members will also be required to report any verbal threats, abuse, or similar incidents to the state Department of Public Health.
For a full list of what Lamont signed so far, click here.
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.