CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY-FOURTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. O-20-26 ENACTMENT NO. ______________________
SPONSORED BY: Isaac Benton & Lan Sena
ORDINANCE
title
Adopting A Paid Sick Leave Ordinance; Requiring Temporary Public Health Emergency Sick Leave (Benton, Sena)
body
WHEREAS, the spread of COVID-19 endangers life and property to such extent that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public health, safety and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque faces the continuing threat of the spread of COVID-19 and damage caused by COVID-19 until the pandemic subsides and unless the City takes proactive measures to prevent or control the spread of the virus; and
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque faces the continuing threat of damage to public health thereby perpetuating an uncertain financial burden; and
WHEREAS, workers who are sick are more likely to go to work if they do not have paid leave, thereby increasing health and safety risks for their fellow workers and other members of the public with whom they, or the products of their work, come into contact; and
WHEREAS, paid sick leave will reduce the spread of COVID-19 and otherwise mitigate the effects of COVID-19 among these workers, thereby promoting public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, effective April 1, 2020, the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCRA") requires employers of fewer than 500 employees to provide emergency paid sick leave benefits to employees who may not be able to work because of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the FFCRA, many workers continue to lack access to paid sick leave; and
WHEREAS, the emergency paid sick leave benefits required by the FFCRA last only through December 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, all workers at some time during each year need limited time off from work to take care of their own health needs or those of family members; and
WHEREAS, according to anal...
Click here for full text