Despite Hogan veto threat, Maryland Senate approves paid sick time proposal

A day after Gov. Larry Hogan promised to veto it, the Maryland Senate approved a mandatory paid sick time bill by a veto-proof margin.

The margin of passage sets up another political confrontation with the Republican governor, who on Wednesday described the Senate's plan as "terrible" and said it and a similar proposal advanced by House of Delegates were "dead on arrival."

The Senate proposal, passed Thursday with only Democrats voting in favor, would require companies with more than 15 workers to offer five days of paid sick leave per year, with an exception for seasonal employees. Smaller firms must offer the same amount of leave, but unpaid.

The House of Delegates approved paid sick-time legislation this month that would mandate seven days a year and called for seasonal workers to be defined as those who work fewer than 90 days, not 106 as the Senate proposed. The House also passed its bill by a veto-proof margin, 88-51.

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-veto-proof-sick-time-passed-20170316-story.html