Committee hears bill to let workers use paid sick leave for immigration proceedings

The Labor & Workplace Standards Committee on Feb. 18, 2025 took testimony on House Bill 18 75, which would allow workers to use accrued paid sick leave for absences related to the worker’s or a family member’s judicial or administrative immigration proceeding.

Ben McCarthy, staff to the committee, told members that current state paid sick leave law requires employers to provide at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked and allows employers to request verification only if an absence lasts more than three days. “This bill would allow workers to use their paid sick leave to cover absences relating to the worker or the worker’s family member’s involvement in a judicial or administrative immigration proceeding,” McCarthy said. He said employers or transportation network companies may accept a written…