This week in New York City, a bill was introduced in the NY City Council that would possibly expand the “Earned Safe and Sick Time Act” to include an employee’s care for companion or service animals that need medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a physical illness, injury or health condition that needs preventative medical care. Currently, the Act covers employees to use time for care and treatment of themselves or a family member. The Act also allows employees to seek legal and social service assistance or take safety measures if an employee or family member may be a victim of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or human trafficking. The Act currently requires that employers provide their employees the following number of hours of paid leave each calendar year for the above existing reasons: 5-99 employees: up to 40 hours; 100+ employees: up to 56 hours. This amendment would expand the reasons which permit employees to use existing paid leave to take care their companion or service animals. Stay tuned! We will keep you apprised of any updates as they come out. If your business has any questions on this topic or any other matters, please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at The Royal Law Firm at 413-586-2288.