Bill > HB822

This bill establishes a comprehensive paid sick leave mandate for employees in Texas, requiring employers to provide paid sick leave at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, which can be used for a variety of purposes including personal or family medical care, preventative health services, addressing family violence, attending school meetings, and dealing with public health emergencies. Employees can begin using accrued sick leave 60 days after being hired, with the ability to carry over unused hours to the next calendar year, and employers have the option to provide the entire expected annual leave amount upfront. The bill defines extensive categories of "family members" who can be cared for using this leave and prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who use their sick leave. Employees can file complaints with the Texas Workforce Commission if they believe their rights have been violated, and employers can face administrative penalties and civil penalties up to $100 per violation. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply to employees hired on or after January 1, 2026, with existing employees beginning to accrue leave on that date. The bill does not apply to federal government agencies and provides protections for employees' privacy by limiting the documentation employers can request when sick leave is used.

Labor and Employment

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB822