SICK LEAVE AND CHILD CARE
What is the federal government doing to get Rhode Islanders needed sick leave?
Although the requirement that eligible employers provide leave under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (Expanded FMLA) under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) does not apply after December 31, 2020, the American Rescue Plan Act continues to provide tax credits to employers for qualified sick and family leave wages paid with respect to leave taken by employees beginning on April 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021, as well as the equivalent credits available for certain self-employed individuals tax credits under sections.
There is more that needs to be done to improve these new laws, which is why I joined Senator Murray in re-introducing the Healthy Families Act to provide paid sick days to help keep workers, communities and our economy healthy and Senator Gillibrand in re-introducing the FAMILY Act for paid family and medical leave.
Is my employer required to offer this paid leave?
After December 31, 2020 businesses are not required to offer this paid leave, but the American Rescue Plan Act does offer tax credits to those who do between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021.
I am an employer. Where can I find information and resources on tax credits for paid leave?
Currently, employers are not required to offer paid leave, but the American Rescue Plan Act does offer tax credits to those who do between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021. More information on those tax credits for employers can be found HERE.
More information on tax credits for small businesses, as well as other means of paying for employee paid leave, can be found on my Small Business COVID-19 resources page.
What is the federal government doing to help Rhode Islanders with child care?
Child and Dependent Care Credit and Employer-Provided Dependent Care Assistance
The American Rescue Plan and CARES Act allocated $18.4 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, $750 million for Head Start, and $24 billion for grants to support child care providers. These funds will support child care and early education to ensure that essential workers have access to child care, the child care workforce is protected and supported upon reopening, and there is a continuity of education for our youngest learners.