Lamont signs bill expanding paid sick leave mandate to small businesses

Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday signed into law a bill that expands Connecticut’s paid sick days mandate to nearly all businesses by 2027.

The Democratic governor has now added his signature to 48 bills that passed both the House and Senate during the 2024 legislative session, his office said.

House Bill 5005 expands the state’s paid sick leave law to include nearly all private-sector workers, meaning even small businesses will be required to give their employees 40 hours of leave annually. 

Currently, paid sick leave requirements only apply to companies with more than 50 workers. The new law will phase in gradually, impacting employers with at least 25 employees in 2025; at least 11 employees in 2026; and then all companies in 2027.

Employees must work 120 calendar days before being eligible for time off. 

The law will not impact companies that already offer 40 hours of paid sick leave.

The bill was opposed by various business groups, and passed the House and Senate along party lines.