On March 18, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed a coronavirus relief bill, called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, that was passed by the House of Representatives over the weekend. President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law.
Paid Sick Leave
Among other measures, the law requires 80 hours of paid sick leave for government workers and employees of companies with fewer than 500 employees. Compensation caps apply.
Leave would be available to workers who:
- Are or may be sick with COVID-19;
- Have to care for a family member with the illness; or
- Have a child whose school or child care facility is closed (or whose child care provider is unavailable) due to the illness.
Paid FMLA Leave
The bill would also require partially paid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act when an employee is unable to work or telework due to a school or child care closure related to the coronavirus.
This benefit would be available to individuals who have worked for their employer for at least 30 days.
Benefits under the law expire Dec. 31, 2020.
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