Additional Information Regarding The “Families First Coronavirus Response Act”

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On March 18, 2020, President Trump approved House Bill 6201, titled the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act”.  Please see our advisory regarding this new Act we sent on March 19, 2020.  The law has two new acts providing leave time: the “Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act” and the “Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act”.

The following employers must provide leave consistent with these Acts:

  • All public employers; and
  • Private employers with fewer than five hundred (500) employees.

The Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act shall take effect no later than fifteen (15) days after they were enacted.  The Acts were enacted on March 18, 2020; therefore they will take effect no later than April 2, 2020.  At this time, the government has not taken any action to make them go into effect earlier than April 2, however that may change.

Furthermore, we are awaiting the following from the U.S. Department of Labor:

  • Guidance as to which health care providers and emergency responders may be excluded from the provisions of the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act; and
  • A notice to containing the requirements of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act that covered employers must post.

Our office is continuing to monitor federal and state guidance and legislation for further developments related to COVID-19.  If you have any questions, please contact us.

This update is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.