Senator Troy Singleton (D-7) will introduce legislation to extend the right to be reinstated to employment following paid or unpaid family leave to small business employees. This bill would be applied to those who take Family Leave Insurance (FLI) during a public health emergency.

“As the coronavirus continues to spread, we must ensure workers are able to put the health of themselves and their loved ones first,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “No one should have to fear losing their job because they need to care for a parent, child or spouse. This legislation will ensure that even those who work for small businesses have a job to return to after taking family leave.”

In the bill, S-2270, during a period in which a state of emergency is declared for the entire State due to a public health emergency, the right to be reinstated to employment after taking family leave would extend to employees of employers with less than 30 workers. During this period, all workers who pay for FLI will to able to return to work after taking FLI benefits.

For a complete Covid-19 crisis interview with Singleton, please go here.

Here is part of that interview:

The president appointed Vice President Mike Pence to head up coronavirus response for his administration. If Pence were in the room at this moment, Singleton said he would tell him, “Get us tests; get us as many test kits as you can. …Give us resources.” If we have to close schools, Singleton said he wants resources to deliver to children who must stay at home who depend daily on school lunch programs. If there is going to be labor disruption, we need an economic stimulus.

“We have to address this on a testing – first – education and economic front,” Singleton said. “If we do that, we will survive this as we have survived every crisis in our country.

“Our social safety nets will be stretched, as will our hospitals, which are inundated,” he added. “We need to make sure our healthcare infrastructure is robust enough hospital, especially in rural areas. Those conversations need to be oing on right now with hospital CEOs.”

In the meantime, “Wash your hands,” Singleton said. “You don’t need to shake everyone’s hands.”

He remembers being a 13-year old and thinking he was too cool to shake anyone’s hand, relying on a minimalist nod of the head as a greeting.

“Now it’s a way of life,” the senator said.

He does not at present see the need for a special legislative section, but “I would think if the need arises it will happen. Right now, not at that point.”