New legislation proposed by a Bucks County lawmaker would prevent employers from retaliating or firing workers when they take time off for a medical quarantine or isolation.
State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, a Democrat from Lower Makefield, said there is currently no law on the books that protects employees during public health crisis.
“There is unfortunately a shortcoming in our current law,” he said.
Under the proposal, if a state of emergency is declared by the governor or president for a public health emergency, an employee dealing with a quarantine or isolation order or tending to a sick relative during a public health crisis could not be terminated.
“No one should have to fear losing their job when they are forced to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spreading of viruses, for the sake of their own wellbeing and the health of the public,” Santarsiero said.
President of the Bucks County Council AFL-CIO Tom Tosti, who also serves on the Middletown Board of Supervisors, said he brought the issue to Santarsiero’s attention after learning about the fact the state law does not protect employees during a public health crisis.
“This is important for all workers across the state, to know that their jobs are safe while they’re in this required quarantine or isolation,” Tosti said.
The bill does not deal with paid sick time or medical leave. It only protects workers from losing their jobs.
Santarsiero has circulated a memo in Harrisburg to seek support from other lawmakers.
As of Monday evening, state senators Tim Kearney, Katie Muth, Bob Mensch, Maria Collett, and Tina Tartaglione were supporting the legislation, according to Santarsiero’s office.
As of Monday evening, Delaware, Monroe, and Wayne counties have one case each of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus. Montgomery County, which borders Bucks County, has seven cases.
Santarsiero will hold a telephone town hall meeting on COVID-19 Thursday at 7:15 p.m. Umar Farooq and Michael Kimzey, both doctors, will be on the call.
Santarsiero’s 10th Senate District covers Tullytown, Falls Township, Morrisville, Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, Lower Makefield, Upper Makefield, Doylestown Borough, Doylestown Township and a number of other towns in the central and upper portions of Bucks County.
