COVID-19 Legislation Advances in Philadelphia City Council

Philadelphia City Council moved one step close to passing legislation that would require certain employers to provide public health emergency leave protections to their employees for reasons relating to COVID-19.  Earlier this week, the City Council’s Committee on Health and Human Services held a hearing on Bill No. 210222 and voted the bill out of Committee.

Of importance, the Committee amended the bill to exempt covered employers from having to offer public health emergency leave to any employee who is provided at least 80-hours of paid leave in 2021 that is designated specifically as sick leave, and can be used by such employee who is quarantining because they were diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, is caring for a family member who is quarantining because they were diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, or is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed because of COVID-19.

The bill, as amended, now moves to the full body for a vote.