New Mexico’s Paid Sick Leave law goes into effect

A gaggle of legislators, advocates and people celebrated the beginning of New Mexico’s Paid Sick Depart legislation, which formally begins Friday.

The Paid Sick Depart invoice handed after a bitter struggle between Democrats within the state Senate within the closing hours earlier than the legislature ended. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the invoice.

State Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, stated the sponsors of the invoice agreed to let the invoice go into impact on July 1, 2022 as an alternative of July 1, 2021 as a compromise with New Mexico companies who stated they might not afford to offer paid sick depart, notably after being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stewart stated there was an try and weaken the legislation earlier than the beginning of the 2022 legislature however no invoice was ever launched.

State Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, who additionally sponsored the Paid Sick Depart invoice, stated the legislation may have constructive results on companies in addition to workers as a result of research present that employees have larger morale once they can take break day to take care of themselves and their households.

The legislation will enable each employee within the state to earn one hour of paid break day for each 30 hours labored and to earn as much as 64 hours of paid break day. The legislation permits employees to take break day to take care of themselves in addition to for a member of the family. A employee can take break day for psychological well being in addition to bodily well being and might ask for break day for an appointment, therapy, sickness or harm.

Stewart stated the state is learning paid household medical depart at the moment and stated there’ll doubtless be a invoice on that problem within the 2023 legislative session. 

The Paid Sick Depart legislation additionally permits people to take break day in the event that they or a member of the family are victims of stalking, home violence or sexual assault.

State Rep. Angelica Rubio, D-Las Cruces, who additionally sponsored the invoice, known as New Mexico a “beacon for the remainder of the nation.”

A employee, Steve Orgeron stated throughout the press convention that he fell ailing earlier this yr and confronted difficulties at work as a result of he didn’t have paid break day.

“It’s not truthful,” he stated.

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