Assemblyman Otis Announces Passage of NYS Paid Sick Leave Legislation to help Combat COVID-19 Assemblyman Steve Otis (D- Rye) announced passage of legislation he co-sponsored to provide all private and public sector employees in New York paid sick leave and wage replacement during a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19. This legislation allows all employees to receive anti-retaliation and job protections and is effective immediately. The legislation was signed by Governor Cuomo Wednesday night.

Assemblyman Otis stated, “The economic challenge created by the COVID-19 crisis is only beginning. This legislation will help slow the spread of the coronavirus providing financial stability to workers who need to stay in isolation. Both part-time and full-time, public or private sector employees are eligible for sick leave benefits outlined in the legislation. As the crisis continues, further economic actions will be required by the federal and state government to protect individuals, families and businesses so that we can weather the storm as a nation.”

This legislation provides for up to 14 days of paid leave when an employee is subject to an order of quarantine or isolation and protects both part-time and full-time workers. Employees that work for small sized employers (10 or fewer employees and less and have a net income of less than $1M) would receive unpaid sick leave and immediately become eligible for Paid Family Leave and Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) benefits.

Employees that work for medium sized employers (10 or fewer employees and less and have a net income of less than $1M) would receive unpaid sick leave and immediately become eligible for Paid Family Leave and Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) benefits.

Employees that work for medium sized employers (10 or fewer employees and have a net income of greater than $1M or have between 11 and 99 employees) would receive at least five days of paid sick leave, followed by eligibility for Paid Family Leave and TDI benefits. Employees that work for employers with 100 or more employees, and all public employees, would receive a minimum of 14 days of paid sick leave.

Current waiting periods for these benefits, in addition to Unemployment Insurance due to closure of work due to COVID-19, would be waived. State insurance programs will cover the cost of workers' salaries for New York's smallest businesses, and everything following a week of leave for New York's medium sized businesses.

The Assemblyman added, “During this crisis I continue to work with state, local and school officials to address the issues that arise on a daily basis. Every individual and family plays a key role in staying safe and taking the steps to stop the spread of this virus. We are all in this together.” State government is taking steps daily to respond to the health, financial and community challenges of this crisis. Updated information can be found at: www.nyassembly.gov/mem/Steven-Otis