Council committee amends Pittsburgh Paid Sick Days Act, delays accrual changes until Jan. 1, 2026

The Finance and Law Committee of the Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday recommended approval of an amendment to Bill 17-36, an ordinance changing accrual rates and raising the maximum total amount of paid sick leave employees can accumulate under the Pittsburgh Paid Sick Days Act. Committee members voted in favor of the bill as amended.

Committee members said the amendment — adopted by substitution — delays the ordinance’s effective date to Jan. 1, 2026 to give employers and the city time to implement the changes. “All this does is effectively add a section 2, which reads, a, the amendments of this ordinance shall take effect on 01/01/2026,” Council President Lavelle said during discussion on the floor.

The amendment’s proponents said the delayed start provides “ramp up time” to inform and educate employers and to work with small businesses that may need support. Lavelle told colleagues the later effective date would allow the city and partners such as the Urban Redevelopment Authority to explore grant dollars, small business loans or other assistance to help very small employers adjust to the change.

Public commenters at the standing committee meeting urged council to adopt the ordinance and thanked sponsors for advancing it. Pamela Raul Johnston of the Fineview neighborhood said she appreciated council “for the consideration of extending the sick day legislation.” Nora Blunt of the Brushton area and Pete Schmidt, Western Pennsylvania area leader for SEIU Local 32, also spoke in favor of the bill and thanked council sponsors for moving it forward.

Council members who spoke during debate emphasized support for workers and said they wanted the city to help mitigate any burdens on the smallest employers. Councilman Wilson thanked the bill’s sponsors and those who testified at the public hearing, saying he looked forward to voting in favor. Several council members urged administrative follow-up on small-business supports while passing the ordinance.

The committee’s affirmative recommendation forwards the ordinance, as amended, to the full council. The amendment sets the ordinance’s effective date to Jan. 1, 2026; the committee discussion and the public comments recorded at the standing committee will be part of the record for further consideration by the full council.