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A day before the state’s COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave program expired, Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday approved an extension of the program to April 1.
The legislature sent the extension bill (H 4127) to Baker’s office on Monday. The program was first authorized under a law passed in May to give workers time to self-quarantine, recover, get vaccinated or help a family member struggling with the coronavirus. It was due to expire on September 30.
The May law created a new $ 75 million COVID-19 emergency sick leave program providing workers with up to one week of paid leave, capped at $ 850. Senate Speaker Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano said this week that an extension “would help Massachusetts continue its progress towards full recovery.”
Spilka said on Monday that just over $ 2 million had been used from the $ 75 million pool. The new law reallocates up to $ 500,000 from the emergency leave fund for a public awareness campaign to promote awareness of the program, and directs the Executive Office of Administration and Finance to develop the campaign.
Baker signed the bill on Wednesday afternoon, according to his office, and his action has been confirmed by the secretary of state’s office, which receives the laws after they are signed by the governor.
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