Missouri Paid Sick Leave Law on the Ropes

Barely two weeks after it took effect, Missouri’s new paid sick leave law is now on the verge of being canceled.

The legislature yesterday delivered to Gov. Mike Kehoe HB 567, a bill to repeal the paid sick leave law and also eliminate annual inflation adjustments to the state minimum wage.

If Kehoe signs the bill, it appears it will take effect August 28.

The paid sick leave law and increases in the minimum wage were approved by voters last year under a ballot initiative called Proposition A.

“We have heard from hundreds of business owners across the state. Implementing this mandate is not just a burden – it will force many to reduce their workforce or close their doors entirely,” Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in a statement. “HB 567 will help address some of the unintended consequences of Proposition A and give employers the flexibility to tailor workplace policies to meet the needs of their workforce.”

Paid Sick Leave

Missouri’s new paid sick leave law, which took effect May 1, requires employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave accrual for every 30 hours worked. Small employers with fewer than 15 employees are required to provide 40 hours of paid sick leave per year, and large employers with 15 or more employees are required to provide 56 hours of paid sick leave per year.

Employers are required to provide paid sick leave for several reasons, including:

• The mental or physical illness of an employee or an employee’s family member;
  
• Preventative medical care for an employee or an employee’s family member;
  
• A public health emergency that results in the closure of the employee’s place of business or the employee’s child’s school or day care facility; and
  
• Absences necessary due to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

Notice and posting requirements took effect April 15.

Minimum Wage

Proposition A already raised the minimum wage from $12.30 to $13.75 per hour, effective January 1, 2025.

It also requires an increase to $15.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2026.

Neither of those changes would be undone by HB 567.

However, the bill would repeal annual inflation adjustments, which currently are scheduled to resume, effective January 1, 2027.