Rules committee advances public-health emergency leave measure for June ballot

San Francisco’s Rules Committee on Feb. 22 voted to forward a ballot initiative that would require employers to provide paid public‑health emergency leave during declared local or statewide emergencies, sending the measure to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.

Supervisor Marr, the sponsor, told the committee the ordinance is intended to protect essential workers during public-health crises. “Public health emergency leave is a common sense policy to protect workers and workplaces,” Marr said, saying the proposal would cover all city employees and private employers with 100 or more employees “anywhere in the world.” She said the measure would automatically make two additional weeks of paid leave available when a local or statewide public-health emergency is declared.

The measure includes a limit for hospital staff: Marr said health workers could use the leave only when they are sick or must isolate, a carve‑out intended to protect staffing in clinical settings. She thanked co‑sponsors and city officials for “adopted a series of amendments” after discussions with labor and employer stakeholders and asked the committee to send the item forward with a positive recommendation.

Supervisor Connie Chan moved to forward the measure to the full Board with recommendation. Vice Chair Rafael Mandelmann and Chair Aaron Peskin joined Chan in a roll‑call vote; the committee recorded unanimous support and the motion passed without objection.

If the Board approves placement on the June 7, 2022 ballot and voters pass the initiative, the ordinance would take effect according to the measure’s provisions. The item now moves to the full Board for further action and any technical changes required before printing for the ballot.