Connecticut may soon require nearly all businesses to offer at least 40 hours of paid sick leave each year. The state first enacted paid sick leave laws in 2011, necessitating all businesses with a minimum of 50 employees to provide 40 hours of paid sick leave annually. Despite last year’s failure to pass an expansion, the proposal returned this year, and the state legislature’s Labor and Public Employees committee approved three paid sick leave bills last month.

Paid sick time refers to short-term time off for workers when they, their spouses, or children are sick, receiving medical treatment, or injured. Paid sick leave isn’t meant for long-term leave, such as maternity or paternity leave. Long-term job-protected leave is covered under the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act, while the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority administers income replacement.

Proposals to expand paid sick leave have been introduced by the Senate, House, and Governor, all of which have been approved by the Labor Committee. These bills also permit employers to ask for reasonable documentation when an employee uses three or more consecutive paid sick days, and they allow employers to take disciplinary action if the days are misused.

Opponents of the bill believe that it adds extra costs for small businesses that are already struggling. Republicans on the committee also raised concerns about the lack of a formal system to verify that a person is indeed sick. This bill is currently being studied by the Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis, which will release its report by 5 p.m. on April 8.

For individual employees to take advantage of the paid sick leave, they need to contact their employer’s HR department for details and procedures. For businesses trying to understand the implications of this proposed law, resources are available from the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority. If unclear about the eligibility and process of Paid Family Leave, individuals and businesses can visit a website like www.eddcaller.com for assistance and guides about various topics related to paid leave. Resources are available detailing how to get a hold of Paid Family Leave and offer explanations on what to understand about the role and processes related to paid leave.