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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL)

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House Passes Rep. Hansen's Sick Time Leave Legislation

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota House of Representatives passed Rep. Rick Hansen’s (DFL—South St. Paul) sick time leave conference committee report (HF 568) with broad bipartisan support 99 to 35. The legislation allows individuals who receive sick leave benefits from employers to use the benefit to take care for a spouse, parent, or grandparent who is sick or injured.

“I’m glad we were able to work out our differences with State Senate to create a great piece of legislation. Once Gov. Dayton signs the bill into law, families won’t have to choose between caring for a loved one and economic security,” said Rep. Hansen.

This bill does not require the expansion of existing benefits by an employer. It simply allows employees to use up to four weeks of sick time for family care giving. Previous state law only allows this sick time to be used when that individual employee or a minor child is sick or injured.

Millions of Americans provide unpaid care for an elderly parent, spouse or other family member. It is estimated that 100,000 Minnesotans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and are supported by 243,000 caregivers, who provide more than $3.4 billion in unpaid care each year.

“Providing sick leave to care for adult family members as well as children is a simple step toward recognizing the changing demographics of our state and changing needs of our workforce,” said Lisa Brown a caregiver services social worker at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation.

This legislation also benefits businesses. Studies have shown that when employers provide elder care benefits to their employees, their productivity and morale improve, while absenteeism and turnover rates decrease.

This legislation received support from a broad coalition of organizations including the AARP, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the American Cancer Society – Cancer Action Network.

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