Caregiver Sick Leave Bill Advances in Legislature
The Caregiver Sick Leave Bill as it is called or AB190, is working its way through the 2021 Nevada State Legislature with little difficulty this session. AB190 had been introduced in two previous sessions, but stalled when another bill regarding paid time off gained leadership support. AB 190, supported by AARP Nevada, will allow unpaid family caregivers who are still working to have the flexibility to use their already earned sick leave to care for their family members. The time off option applies to only those employees who already earned sick leave, and does not add or require any new benefits or time off from employers. “This legislation will benefit Nevada employees who care for their immediate family – including aging parents, spouses, adults with dementia/disabilities/or other chronic conditions, children with disabilities or chronic conditions, or a family member who may have COVID-19,” said bill supporter Barry Gold, Director of Government Relations, AARP Nevada.
In working to advance AB190, Gold said, “No one should worry about losing their job because they have to take their Mom or spouse to the doctor, or their family member who has COVID-19– please support AB190.” More than 40 million Americans provide unpaid care to someone who is over the age of 18 years and ill or disabled, and approximately 4 out of 10 caregivers consider their caregiving situation to be highly stressful, and report difficulties with managing emotional and physical stress, balancing work and family responsibilities and finding time for themselves. www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // May 2021
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