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Congress·In Committee·18 days ago

House Democrats' Healthy Families Act Would Guarantee 7 Days of Paid Sick Leave for Most U.S. Workers

Also known as: Healthy Families Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill would allow workers to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours they work. Most employees would be able to earn up to 56 hours (about seven days) of paid time off each year to recover from an illness, see a doctor, or care for a sick family member.
  • The rules would apply to almost all employers with at least one worker, including private businesses, the government, and the railroad industry. Employees would start earning time on their first day of work and could begin using it after 60 days on the job.
  • Workers could use this time for themselves or to care for a wide range of people, including children, parents, spouses, domestic partners, or anyone else they consider family. It also covers time needed to seek help or legal protection regarding domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
  • Employers would be prohibited from firing, demoting, or punishing workers for using their earned sick time. They also cannot require a worker to find their own replacement as a condition for taking the time off.
  • If a worker is out for more than three days in a row, an employer can ask for a doctor's note or other documentation. While unused sick time can be carried over to the next year, employers are not required to pay workers for unused time if they leave the company.
Labor EmploymentHealthcare

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 12, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Feb 12, 2026

Introduced in House

Related News

5 articles
Sun Community News·12 days ago

Gillibrand, Sanders introduce legislation to guarantee paid sick leave

The Healthy Families Act would guarantee every worker in America up to seven paid sick days each year to recover from illness, access preventive care, or care for a family member. It also allows victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault to use paid sick days to seek assistance.

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Westlaw Today·14 days ago

Policy Week in Review – February 13, 2026

Senator Bernie Sanders and Rosa DeLauro introduced 'The Healthy Families Act,' which would guarantee paid sick leave to every American worker. The legislation is endorsed by major labor unions including the AFL-CIO, SEIU, and UAW.

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Safety+Health Magazine·almost 3 years ago

Sanders and DeLauro reintroduce bill on paid sick leave

The Healthy Families Act would allow workers to annually accrue up to 56 hours of job-protected paid sick leave. Under the act, covered workers would earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. Employers with existing policies meeting these standards would not be required to change.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Healthy Families Act

Bill NumberHR 7531
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(143)
D: 143

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.