“The Montgomery County Council’s unanimous vote today to establish the nation’s 23rd paid sick days law will make a tremendous difference in the lives of the county’s working families while adding to the undeniable momentum around this common sense policy. Thanks to the Council, the number of laws guaranteeing workers the right to earn paid sick time is set to grow yet again. Oregon lawmakers just approved the nation’s fourth statewide sick time law.

Montgomery County’s law is especially strong because it will apply to all workers in the county, ensuring that an estimated 90,000 people who currently do not have the right to earn paid sick days can take time to recover from common illnesses, care for family members, or seek help related to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. After the county executive approves the measure, it is set to take effect on October 1, 2016. Evidence from other jurisdictions shows it will benefit worker and family economic security, local businesses, the public health and the county economy.

The National Partnership commends the Montgomery County Council members who championed this bill and the coalition of advocates, including Working Matters, that has been working to advance paid sick time laws in Montgomery County and throughout Maryland. Today’s victory should pave the way for the statewide standard more than 720,000 Marylanders need. That, in turn, should make it even clearer to members of Congress that a federal standard – the Healthy Families Act – is long overdue.”

The District of Columbia has long been a paid sick days leader, passing the nation’s second local law ever in 2008. It was strengthened in 2014 to cover previously excluded tipped restaurant and bar workers.

The National Partnership convenes a broad and diverse coalition that supports the Healthy Families Act. More information can be found at PaidSickDays.org.