PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The Latest on a proposal to mandate paid sick leave in Rhode Island (all times local):
7 p.m.
A proposal to mandate paid time off for workers who call in sick in Rhode Island is moving forward.
The state Senate voted 27-8 on Wednesday night to approve legislation that would require private sector employers to provide their workers with up to four paid sick days starting next year and up to five days starting in 2019.
It would exempt small employers with 10 or fewer employees. It also would exclude certain classes of employees from the benefit, such as independent contractors and interns.
The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives, where Democratic Rep. Aaron Regunberg is sponsoring companion legislation.
Business groups, who already won some concessions in the Senate bill, are fighting for more concessions in the version still being negotiated in the state House.
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1 a.m.
Rhode Island state lawmakers are moving ahead on a proposal to mandate paid time off for workers who call in sick, but business groups are making a last-ditch effort to pare down the plan.
The state Senate is scheduled to vote Wednesday on legislation that would require private sector employers to provide their workers with up to four paid sick days starting next year and up to five days starting in 2019.
It would exempt small employers with 10 or fewer employees.
Business groups, who already won some concessions in the Senate bill, are fighting for more concessions in a version still being negotiated in the state House of Representatives.
Democratic House Labor Committee Chairman Robert Craven says his committee is considering amendments that would exempt more small businesses.
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