The Healthy Families Act requires employers to provide paid sick time so workers can take care of their own health needs and those of their families. Under this law, employees earn at least 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours they work, up to a maximum of 56 hours per year (unless employers choose to offer more). Workers can start using this time after their first 60 days of employment, and any unused time carries over to the next year.

Employees can use paid sick time for several important reasons: their own physical or mental illness, medical appointments and preventive care, caring for sick family members (including children, parents, spouses, domestic partners, and other close relatives), and situations involving domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. For domestic violence situations, workers can use the time to seek medical care, get help from victim services organizations, obtain counseling, relocate, or participate in legal proceedings.

Employers can require medical certification if an employee needs more than 3 consecutive days off for health reasons, and employees must try to schedule their sick time in a way that doesn't disrupt business operations. The law applies to most employers engaged in commerce who have at least one employee working 20 or more weeks per year, including federal agencies, railroads, and state employers. Employers who already offer paid leave policies that meet these requirements don't need to create a separate sick time program.