Georgia HB 746: Labor and industrial relations; employees use sick leave for the care of immediate family members; provide

Bill Text

16 LC 36 2860
H. B. 746
- 1 -
House Bill 746
By: Representatives Benton of the 31
st, Hatchett of the 150
th, Frye of the 118
th, and Dempsey
of the 13
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 1 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1
general provisions relative to labor and industrial relations, so as to allow employees to use2
sick leave for the care of immediate family members; to provide for definitions; to provide3
for conditions to take leave; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for4
other purposes.5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6
SECTION 1.7
Chapter 1 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general8
provisions relative to labor and industrial relations, is amended by adding a new Code section9
to read as follows:10
"34-1-9.11
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:12
(1) 'Employee' means any individual employed by an employer.13
(2) 'Employer' means any person or entity that employs ten or more individuals and shall14
include the State of Georgia and its political subdivisions and instrumentalities.15
(3) 'Immediate family member' means an employee's child, spouse, grandchild,16
grandparent, or parent or any dependents as shown in such employee's most recent tax17
return.18
(4) 'Sick leave' means time away from work taken by an employee for which such19
employee receives compensation and is limited to sick time. Such term shall not include20
paid short-term or long-term disability, catastrophic leave, or similar types of benefits.21
(b) An employer that provides sick leave shall allow an employee to use such sick leave22
for the care of an immediate family member; provided, however, that nothing in this Code23
section shall be construed to require an employer to offer sick leave of any kind or to24
require an employer to allow an employee to use more than five days of earned sick leave25
for the care of an immediate family member.26

16 LC 36 2860
H. B. 746
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(c) An employee shall not be entitled to use sick leave under this Code section until such27
leave has been earned. Any employee who uses such sick leave shall comply with the28
terms of the employer's employee sick leave policy."29
SECTION 2.30
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.31