March 14, 2020 - WASHINGTON – In response to concerns over missed work for employees, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) has introduced the Paid Sick Leave Credit Act of 2020. The bill would provide tax credits to businesses that pay sick leave to employees who miss work because of the Coronavirus. The bill complements legislation being led by the House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott which would require businesses to provide paid sick leave to workers affected by Coronavirus.

“People who have the coronavirus – or have to self-quarantine – shouldn’t have to worry about losing their job or falling behind on rent or their mortgage,” said Rep. Harder. “Paid sick leave is just obvious – but we shouldn’t put all of the strain on local businesses – my bill supports workers and their families without forcing business to shoulder the financial burden alone. My hope is that we can get this rolled into the larger package the House will vote on soon.” 

The Paid Sick Leave Credit Act would allow affected employers to claim a 90 percent tax credit of the qualified sick leave wages paid to employees who miss work because of the Coronavirus. Credits for businesses will be limited to $7,156 per employee per year and are not refundable.

Representative Harder supported bipartisan legislation to provide $8.3 billion in emergency funding to combat the spread of the pandemic. He also worked to help a couple from Modesto who were stranded on the Diamond Princess outside of the San Francisco Bay to access their insulin prescription. Following the explosive increase in the number of cases this weekend, Rep. Harder elected to cancel a previously planned town hall and will instead hold a telephone town hall on the disease with local experts. 
Source: Rep. Josh Harder