New Jersey
New Jersey’s statewide sick time law took effect on October 29, 2018. The statewide law preempts the 13 previously enacted local sick time laws in the New Jersey cities listed below by year of enactment. These 13 local laws were part of a long-term strategy to pass a statewide paid sick time law and paved the way for the statewide Earned Sick and Safe Days Act, which passed in April 2018. A Better Balance provided legal support to each of these campaigns, from bill drafting to testifying before legislators to helping with enforcement.
- Jersey City (2013)
- Newark (2014)
- Passaic (2014)
- East Orange (2014)
- Paterson (2014)
- Irvington (2014)
- Trenton (2014)
- Montclair (2014)
- Bloomfield (2015)
- Elizabeth (2015)
- New Brunswick (2015)
- Plainfield (2016)
- Morristown (2016)
Texas
In 2018, Austin became the first city in the South to enact a paid sick and safe time law, and was soon followed by Dallas and San Antonio. A Better Balance provided legal support to each of these campaigns, from bill drafting to talking points to litigation and amicus support when they were challenged.
All three laws were challenged by business groups as violating a Texas law that prohibits localities from enacting a minimum wage higher than the state’s. This is an exceedingly weak and dubious legal argument that has never succeeded anywhere in the country before this decision, although other lawsuits have raised it. A Better Balance strongly disputes the notion that minimum wage and paid sick time requirements are the same. However, the intermediate Texas Court of Appeals did rule that the ordinances were preempted, and since the Texas Supreme Court declined to hear the case, the appellate court’s decision striking down the ordinance will stand. As a result, workers in these three cities lack the legal right to paid sick time, despite the will of their communities and elected officials.
Illinois
Illinois’ statewide paid time off law took effect on January 1, 2024. In response to the statewide paid time off law, Cook County converted its previously enacted paid sick time law, which had been in effect since July 1, 2017, to a paid time off law. The Cook County paid time off law replaced the paid sick time law effective December 31, 2023.
Minnesota
Minnesota’s statewide sick time law took effect on January 1, 2024. In response to the statewide law, Duluth repealed its previously enacted paid sick time law, which had been in effect since January 1, 2020. The Duluth paid sick time law is repealed effective January 2024.
