
New Mexico passes The Healthy Workplaces Act, a new paid sick leave bill (2021 Ch. 131, HB 20). The new law will go into effect on July 1, 2022 and will require employers within New Mexico to provide one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked; maxing out at 64 hours of sick leave. The law applies to all employers within the state with at least one employee, however state and political employers are exempt. Employers who already have a paid leave program in place, that meets or exceeds the hours and provisions in The Healthy Workplaces Act, are not required to provide additional leave. Paid sick leave that is mandated by the state is in addition to PTO provided by a collective bargaining agreement. Use of sick leave accrued by an employee is not punishable by employers, and rights are not waivable by employees.