Senator Hassan Joins in Reintroducing the Healthy Families Act to Allow Workers to Earn Paid Sick Days

Senator Hassan Joins in Reintroducing the Healthy Families Act to Allow Workers to Earn Paid Sick Days

Healthy Families Act would help hard-working Americans, protect public health, and strengthen the economy

WASHINGTON - This week, Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined her colleagues in the Senate and House in introducing theHealthy Families Act, which would allow Granite State workers to earn paid sick leave to use when they are sick, to care for a loved one, to obtain preventative care, or to address the impacts of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault. Currently, 41 million workers across the nation do not have access to paid sick leave, forcing them to take time off with no pay, and at times even risk their jobs when they or a loved one is sick.

"Ensuring that our workers have the flexibility to support themselves and their families during times of need is critical to maintaining a healthy and productive workforce and a strong economy," Senator Hassan said. "I'm proud to join in reintroducing theHealthy Families Actto help ensure that no hard-working American is forced to choose between their health and economic security. I'll continue working across the aisle to expand paid family leave in order to strengthen our families, our businesses, and our economy."

TheHealthy Families Actwould allow workers at businesses with at least 15 employees to earn up to 56 hours, or seven days, of paid sick leave each year. This would allow workers to stay home when they are ill, to care for a sick family member, seek preventive medical care, or seek assistance related to domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.

Businesses that already provide paid sick leave would not have to change their current policies, as long as they meet the minimum standards of theHealthy Families Act.Studies show that paid sick leave can reduce the spread of contagious diseases like the flu and a national paid sick day policy would reduce emergency room visits by 1.3 million annually, saving $1.1 billion a year.

Senator Hassan is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

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