April 6, 2017

For Immediate Release

Prince George’s County Councilman Mel Franklin Calls Statewide Paid Sick Leave Bill a Victory for Working Families

2015 Council Resolution Endorsed Statewide Approach to Paid Sick Leave

Contact: Mel@melfranklin.net

Yesterday, the Maryland General Assembly approved House Bill 1, a new statewide 5-day annual paid sick and safe leave benefit for workers at businesses with 15 or more employees, with veto-proof margins.  Councilman Mel Franklin (D-District 9), who was Chair of the County Council when the Council adopted CR-52-2015 and endorsed a statewide sick leave approach, issued the following statement:

“Yesterday’s adoption of statewide paid sick and safe leave legislation will make the workplace more family-friendly and fairer to tens of thousands of everyday Marylanders.  It is particularly important that this benefit will extend to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.  The statewide approach for this policy will ensure that Prince George’s County businesses are not competing at a disadvantage with other Maryland counties.  I congratulate the General Assembly and urge Governor Hogan to sign this family-friendly legislation.”

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A copy of 2015 Council Resolution 52 (CR-52-2015) can be found here: https://princegeorgescountymd.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=4106259&GUID=87742DE3-87B7-4376-8D00-5D0ADC347C30

The adopted 2017 statewide paid sick and safe leave bill can be found here: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/bills/hb/hb0001t.pdf