HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS
Guarantees hard-working New Mexicans the right to time off and a healthy workplace
Guaranteed earned sick leave for New Mexicans is one step closer to reality thanks to new legislation advanced by the House Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee today.
House Bill 20: the Healthy Workplaces Act is sponsored by Rep. Angelica Rubio, Rep. Christine Chandler, Rep. Daymon Ely and Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, and has now been combined with House Bill 37: the Paid Sick Leave Act.
“Every New Mexican deserves the right to take care of themselves and protect public health when sick, without compromising their family’s financial security,” said Rep. Rubio. “Earned sick leave has always been needed in New Mexico, but that need has been even more stark during the pandemic. This is the most important thing that workers all across the state of New Mexico need right now.”
“We have taken the best components from both bills and combined them into this comprehensive new legislation,” said Rep. Chandler. “House Bill 20 offers a strong earned sick leave program, which all New Mexicans deserve, and also supports our local businesses and overall public health.”
Rep. Ely added: “We’ve already lost more than 3,300 New Mexicans to COVID-19, and yet, nearly half of the state’s workforce cannot take time off when they’re exposed or infected. Not only is this forcing hard-working New Mexicans to choose between their health and paying their bills, but it jeopardizes everyone’s public health when workers have to come to work sick or contagious.”
HB 20 passed the House Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee with a 5-3 vote, and will be heard next in the House Judiciary Committee.
Members of the public can track legislation on the New Mexico Legislature website, access committee meetings and House floor sessions via the Webcasts tab, or participate by Zoom to provide public comment on committee hearings. During the 2021 Legislative Session, the House of Representatives is focused on passing critical legislation while protecting the health and safety of the public, the staff, and the legislators.