The legislation provides paid sick time coverage for all businesses of five or more employees

Council will also vote on a Resolution supporting the City’s universal pre-Kindergarten and after school plan

New York, NY- Today, the City Council will vote to significantly expand the Earned Sick Time Act – enacted under Local Law 46 of 2013 and amended by Local Law 6 of 2014.

The Council will also vote on a Resolution supporting the City’s plan to establish high-quality universal pre-Kindergarten for all eligible four-year olds and high-quality after school programs for middle-school-aged youth.

Paid Sick Time Expansion Bill (Intro 1-A)

This legislation would provide paid sick time coverage for all businesses of five or more employees – up from 15 – providing paid sick leave to 355,000 more working New Yorkers. The bill also broadens the definition of “family member” for which sick time can be used to include grandchildren, grandparents and siblings. The bill also includes a two-year statute of limitations to file a complaint (up from nine months) and imposes a three-year record keeping requirement (up from two years). Additionally, the bill authorizes the pro-active enforcement by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), or any other agency that the Mayor designates.
This legislation also was amended in response to implementation concerns raised by small businesses, which were not required to provide paid sick time under the current law, by adding a grace period for a violation of the law for these newly covered businesses during the first six months that it is effective.

“It’s time for our laws to live up to our values,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “No one should have to choose between their job and their health. No parent should have to choose between caring for a child and putting food on the table. We need to pass this legislation not only to ensure that no New Yorker falls into crisis and insecurity just because he or she or a family member becomes ill, but also because it is simply the right thing to do.”
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Resolution

The Council’s Resolution supports the City’s plan to institute universal pre-Kindergarten for all eligible four-year olds and after school programs for middle-school-aged youth.

“We’ve been waiting on Albany for universal pre- K for over 15 years – we can’t wait any longer,” said Speaker Mark-Viverito. “This resolution sends the clear message that we won’t back down until a small tax on the wealthiest New Yorkers is in place. These funds will be used to close the gap of 53,767 children who receive insufficient pre-K or no pre-K, ultimately serving more than 73,000 4-year-olds. And, it will be worth every penny.”

“New York City needs a dedicated source of funding for universal prekindergarten,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm. “Study after study has shown that children who receive early childhood education perform demonstrably better later in life than those who don’t receive it. It’s right to ask those who can afford it to pay their fair share of tax dollars. The Mayor’s plan will help create a better, stronger New York City for generations to come.”

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