The Capitol Watch blog is reporting this Thursday evening that the proponents of the Paid Sick Leave bill (H.B. 6187) are still one vote shy of passage in the state Senate:

The latest vote count shows the measure tied at 18 to 18 in the 36-member Senate. Eight Democrats are currently opposed to the bill, while two Republicans are in favor.

"We’re one vote short,” said Sen. Edith Prague, a longtime labor supporter. "Those eight [Democrats] are pretty firm. All we need is one vote.” ….

Lobbyists for CBIA, the state’s largest business organization, have been working the hallways on a constant basis as the clock ticks toward the end of the session. 

With its passage still in question at least for another 24 hours and with multiple amendments proposed, I’m going to hold off on a full recap of the measure until we get a better idea of what the bill is going to pass and in what form.

Until then, I’ll leave you with the Office Of Legislative Reports recap which states that the bill would be effective January 1, 2010 if passed and approved by the governor:

This bill requires most employers with 50 or more employees in the state to provide their employees with paid sick leave once the employee has worked 1,040 hours. Paid sick leave accrues at a rate of one hour for each 40 hours worked after the employee has worked 520 hours in 12 months. Current law does not require employers to provide sick leave, whether paid or unpaid.

Employees may accrue up to 32 hours of sick leave in 2010 [4 days] and up to 40 hours a year [5 days] in each following year. The leave can be used for an employee’s or the employee’s child’s illness or injury, treatment of an illness or injury, diagnosis, and preventive medical care. It can also be used for reasons related to an employee who is a victim of family violence or sexual assault.

It exempts manufacturing employers that provide some form of paid leave at a rate equal to or greater than the bill requires. It includes all other private sector and public sector employers with 50 or more persons. It deems an employer to be in compliance with its requirements if the employer offers paid leave that can be used for the same purposes and in the same conditions. …

*House Amendment “A” (1) changes the required number of hours an employee must work to be eligible for paid sick leave, (2) reduces the number of paid sick leave hours that can be accrued and used, (3) exempts employees under age 18 from its provisions, (4) exempts manufacturers that provide some form of paid leave at a rate equal to or greater than the bill requires, and (5) specifies it does not prohibit an employer from allowing employees to donate accrued sick leave to another employee.