H.B. No. 1880 introduces a new Chapter 83 to the Texas Labor Code, requiring certain employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees. Under this chapter, employees will accrue paid sick leave at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, with a minimum annual accrual of 64 hours for employers with 15 or more employees, and 48 hours for those with fewer than 15. Employees can carry over unused sick leave to the following year and are entitled to use it for personal illness, family care, or situations involving family violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The bill also mandates that employers inform employees about sick leave policies and maintain records of sick leave usage.

The legislation includes protections against retaliation for employees who use sick leave or file complaints regarding violations of the law. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees for requesting or utilizing their paid sick leave rights. The bill establishes a complaint framework with the Texas Workforce Commission, which will investigate claims and impose administrative penalties on non-compliant employers. Additionally, the Texas Workforce Commission is tasked with making information about employee rights and employer best practices publicly available. The provisions will apply to employees hired on or after January 1, 2027, with specific guidelines for accrual and usage of sick leave, while ensuring that existing collective bargaining agreements remain intact.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()