This evening, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which will provide for coronavirus testing at lower or waived costs, unemployment insurance assistance for states, and additional funding for nutritional programs. It also will also provide for emergency paid sick leave and updates to the Family Medical Leave Act, which are the focus of this alert.  

Emergency Paid Sick Leave

Entitled the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, the new law requires most employers to provide so-called emergency paid sick time (EPST) to employees related to COVID-19-related purposes, as discussed in the full article. This new law takes effective 15 days after President Trump signs it and will expire on December 31, 2020.

Family Medical Leave Act Amendments Regarding Public Health Emergency Leave

Entitled the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, this bill makes temporary changes (from the effective date of 15 days after President Trump signs it until December 31, 2020, unless extended), to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) related to the provision of Public Health Emergency Leave (PHEL). These changes include which employers and employees are covered, the purposes for which PHEL-related leave can be taken, and whether PHEL must be paid. Each of these are discussed in the full article.