Maryland lawmakers voted 88-51 in favor of paid sick leave Friday afternoon.
The House of Delegates voted to pass the Healthy Working Families Act, which would require businesses with more than 15 employees to provide earned paid sick leave.
Advocates with the Working Matters Coalition for Earned Sick Days released the following statement:
"Today's victory confirms what Marylanders overwhelmingly believe: the time for earned paid sick days is now. On behalf of the 160 faith, labor, small business and community groups across the state of Maryland who have been fighting with Working Matters to make this bill a reality, we thank the House of Delegates for their tremendous leadership in passing the Healthy Working Families Act. A special thanks to our sponsors Delegate Clippinger and Chairman Davis, who have championed this bill, and to Speaker Busch for his outstanding leadership. We now look to the Maryland Senate to pass this strong, meaningful bill."
The bill provides required paid leave to more people than an alternative proposal introduced by Gov. Larry Hogan.
RELATED: Paid sick leave measure advances in Maryland House
The governor's proposal would require employers with more than 50 employees to provide paid leave. Employers with fewer than 50 employees would be given tax relief incentives. Hogan proposed the alternative to ease requirements on small businesses.
House Republicans sought to change the House bill to be more like the governor's, but Democrats rejected the amendments.
The Associate Press contributed to this report.
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