Bill > SB189

This bill amends Alaska's paid sick leave law to require employers with 50 or more employees to provide paid sick leave, reducing the previous threshold of 15 employees. Under the new law, employees will accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, with a maximum of 56 hours per year, and the leave can be used for personal or family medical needs, including mental and physical health conditions, medical care, and absences related to domestic violence or sexual assault. The bill specifies that exempt employees are assumed to work 40 hours per week for accrual purposes, allows unused sick leave to carry over to the following year, and mandates that employers cannot retaliate against employees who use their paid sick leave. Importantly, the law provides flexibility for employers with existing paid leave policies that meet the requirements and offers protections for employee privacy. The bill also introduces an exemption for seasonal workers, defined as employees hired for up to six months per year for peak business needs, and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving employers time to prepare for the new requirements.

Government Affairs

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=SB189