Healthy Families Act

The Healthy Families Act is a proposed federal bill, introduced repeatedly in Congress by lawmakers including Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Patty Murray. It would require employers with 15 or more workers to let employees earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours (about seven days) a year. Smaller employers would provide unpaid sick time. The leave covers a worker's own illness or care for a child, spouse, parent, or someone whose bond is like family, which explicitly includes chosen family. LGBTQ+ groups such as HRC support it because queer and trans workers, often in lower-wage jobs and more exposed to discrimination, are less likely to have guaranteed paid sick leave. The bill has not become law.