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Bill

SB 216

Establishing the Kansas paid sick time act, setting accrual, usage and employer obligations regarding earned paid sick time and making it unlawful for employers to retaliate against employees exercising rights under the act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ethan Corson and 4 co-sponsors

Kansas would require employers to provide paid sick time to employees and prohibit retaliation for using it, establishing mandatory sick leave protections currently absent from state law.

Died in Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 216

Legislative bill overview

SB 216 would establish Kansas's first statewide paid sick time law, requiring employers to provide employees with accrued paid sick days for illness, medical care, and related purposes. The bill also prohibits employer retaliation against employees who use sick time or assert rights under the act.

Why is this important

Currently, Kansas has no mandatory paid sick leave requirement, meaning employers can legally deny sick time to employees. This bill would affect millions of workers across the state and reshape employer HR practices, particularly impacting low-wage workers who traditionally have less access to benefits. Healthcare, food service, and retail sectors would see significant operational changes.

Potential points of contention

  • Business compliance costs: Small employers argue accrual systems create administrative burden and wage pressures; supporters counter that public health and productivity gains offset costs
  • Accrual rates and carryover: Disagreement over how many days employees should receive annually, whether unused time rolls over, and whether employers can cap balances
  • Scope of covered employers: Disputes over whether all employers or only businesses above a certain size threshold should be covered, affecting small business impact

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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