Healthy Families Act

Bill Number: HR 7531|Origin Chamber: House|Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.|Policy Area: Labor and Employment

TL;DR

What

Mandates employees earn paid sick time for health or family needs.

Who

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D, CT) introduced with many co-sponsors.

Status

Introduced in House, referred to committees.

This bill, known as the "Healthy Families Act," aims to establish a federal requirement for most U.S. workers to earn paid sick time. It was introduced by Representative Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat from Connecticut, who has a history of advocating for workers' rights. The bill has been sent to House committees for review before it can move forward for a vote.

Cosponsors

Discuss this bill in Community

Where Is This Bill?

Introduced

Committee

House Vote

Senate

Law

Introduced Feb 12, 2026

The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committees on Education and Workforce, House Administration, and Oversight and Government Reform. For it to progress, these committees must approve it. Following committee approval, it would need to pass a vote in the full House, then pass the Senate, and finally be signed by the President to become law.

If This Passes, You Might Notice

•You could get paid time off for personal or family illness.
•You could use paid leave for medical appointments or preventive care.
•You could take paid time off for issues related to domestic violence or assault.

If enacted, this bill would allow most employees to earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours per year. This time could be used for your own illness or medical appointments, or to care for sick family members, including children, parents, spouses, domestic partners, or individuals with a similar close relationship. Additionally, it could be used for needs arising from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, such as seeking medical attention or legal assistance.

The Debate

Supporters Say

This bill would provide crucial financial security and health protections for millions of workers, preventing them from choosing between their health and their paycheck.

Critics Say

Mandating paid sick leave could impose significant financial burdens on businesses, especially small businesses, potentially leading to increased costs or reduced hiring.