Bill
A 791
Allows paid sick leave to care for a sick pet, expanding eligible uses for workers under the state paid sick leave program; may require employers to adjust records.
Overview
- A-791 would add a new permitted use of paid sick leave to allow employees to care for a sick pet. The bill is in the early stage of consideration and has been referred to the Labor Committee.
What the bill would do
- Create a statutory basis for employees to use paid sick leave to care for a sick pet.
- Extend the purposes for which paid sick leave may be used beyond existing family or medical reasons to include pet care. The specific definitions of “pet,” “care,” and related terms would be set forth in the full text.
- Apply to employees covered by the state’s paid sick leave framework (with details to be provided in the legislation, such as eligibility, accrual, and carryover rules).
Definitions and scope (as would be defined in the full text)
- The bill would define terms such as “pet,” “sick pet,” and “care,” along with any limits or conditions on use (e.g., documentation or notice requirements). The current available information does not include these definitions; the final text will specify them.
Who would be affected
- Employees who are covered by the state’s paid sick leave program would be eligible to use leave to care for a sick pet.
- Employers subject to the state paid sick leave requirements would be affected in terms of administering leave for pet care and ensuring compliance with the expanded permitted use.
Procedural status and timeline
- Introduced: January 8, 2025.
- Status: Referred to Labor (listed as 2025-01-08, with the committee referral appearing twice in the actions presented).
- No further actions or enacted dates are listed; as a referral bill, it will require committee consideration, potential amendments, and votes in the Assembly before moving to the Senate or onward.
Sponsors
- Primary sponsor: Manny De Los Santos
- Cosponsors: Deborah Glick, William Colton, Andrew Hevesi, Dana Levenberg, Kwani O'Pharrow, Rebecca Kassay, Steven Raga, Karines Reyes, Yudelka Tapia
Potential impact and considerations
- Employee welfare: Provides additional flexibility for pet owners who must care for ill pets.
- Employer considerations: May necessitate adjustments to leave administration and tracking; potential costs associated with expanded leave use.
- Policy context: Part of broader efforts to broaden paid leave benefits; effectiveness will depend on definitions, eligibility, and any caps or notice requirements included in the final text.
Next steps
- Review the full bill text once released to confirm definitions, eligibility, limits, and administrative requirements.
- Monitor committee hearings and any amendments proposed in Labor, as well as potential movement toward floor votes.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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