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Your dog’s sick day could soon become your sick day, too - at least in one state.
New York lawmakers are considering legislation that “allows employees to receive paid sick leave for the medical diagnoses or treatment of such employees’ sick pets.”
The proposal, known as the Sick Leave for Pets Care Act, was introduced by Democratic Assemblyman Manny De Los Santos. It would amend New York labor law to make the medical diagnosis or treatment of a sick companion or service animal an eligible reason for using paid sick leave.
Rather than requiring employers to provide additional days off, the bill would allow workers to use sick leave they already have available for pet-related medical needs.
No state has enacted a law requiring employers to provide leave specifically for pet care or the loss of a pet, but several have considered similar measures.
In Missouri, proposed legislation would provide employees with limited paid bereavement leave following the death of a pet. An Illinois bill, would amend the state's Family Bereavement Leave Act to allow unpaid time off following the loss of a companion animal.
Similar efforts have surfaced elsewhere, including a 2020 Maryland bill that would have allowed employees to use…
