The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) was passed by Senate and signed into law by President Trump on March 18th.
The new law guarantees paid sick leave to employees of small businesses.
Who is covered?
A company that has fewer than 500 employees is now required by law to provide paid sick leave to workers affected by Coronavirus.
If you work for a small company that has less than 500 employees, you are guaranteed paid sick leave for Coronavirus-related emergencies.
What conditions qualify for paid sick leave?
Paid sick leave is guaranteed to any employee that:
- Is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation related to Coronavirus
- Has been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine due to Coronavirus concerns.
- Is experiencing symptoms of Coronavirus and is seeking a medical diagnosis.
- Is caring for an individual who is subject to local quarantine or isolation, or has been advised to self-quarantine.
- Is caring for their child if the child’s school or child care has been closed due of Coronavirus precautions.
- Is experiencing any other substantially similar condition specified by the secretary of health and human services in consultation with the Treasury secretary and the labor secretary.
Employees falling under categories 1 through 3 are guaranteed 10 days of paid sick leave, limited to $511 per day.
Employees falling under categories 4 through 6 are guaranteed 10 days of paid sick leave, limited to the lesser of $200 or 2/3rds of regular pay.
Paid child care leave
In addition to 10 days paid sick leave, you can get up to 10 additional weeks of paid family leave to care for children whose schools or daycare facilities were closed, limited to the lesser of $200 per day or 2/3rds of regular pay.