Labor & Employment (Labor Standards)

SB 216 establishes Kansas' first statewide paid sick leave law, requiring most private employers to provide earned paid sick time for health and safety needs. Employees accrue sick time at their regular hourly rate (minimum $7.25/hour), with limits based on employer size: larger employers must provide up to 80 hours annually, while smaller businesses offer less. The law prohibits retaliation for using sick leave, bans employer demands for replacement workers, and allows up to 80 hours to carry over annually or be paid out at year-end. It excludes small businesses with under $5,000 annual sales, certain government workers, and employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.

SB 218 would raise Kansas's minimum wage to $15 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with future increases tied to the Midwest Consumer Price Index (cost of living). It applies to most Kansas workers not covered by federal minimum wage law, excluding agricultural workers, domestic workers, and others defined in the bill. Tipped employees would receive at least half the minimum wage plus tips, with employers covering any shortfall if tips don’t meet the full minimum. The current $7.25 hourly rate would remain in effect until the end of 2025.

SB 220 increases penalties for employers who violate child labor laws in Kansas. It raises fines for repeat offenses: $25,000 for a second violation and $50,000 for a third or subsequent violation, in addition to criminal penalties. The bill amends existing law to upgrade repeat violations to felony charges (severity levels 7 and 5) and replaces the previous misdemeanor penalties of up to $100 or 90 days in jail. This directly affects employers who illegally hire minors or violate child labor regulations, with significantly higher financial consequences for repeat offenders.