Local business owners discuss Mandatory Paid Leave Bill

In Ocean City Monday local business owners had a chance to talk with the Secretary of Labor, Kelly Schultz, on the impact the Mandatory Paid Leave Bill would have on their businesses.

The Mandatory Paid Leave Bill, also known as HB1, would require employers with 15 or more employees to give their employees earned sick leave paid at the same wage rate as they normally would.

The bill was recently vetoed by Governor Hogan, but Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce tells us there's a strong possibilty that the veto could be overturned during the 2018 legislative session.

Something local businesses are concerned about.

"There's a great concern especially with the seasonal nature of Ocean City. A lot of times we're hiring the J1 international students, college students to work and according to this bill if they work 106 days they are eligible for cured paid leave, which gives them that leave at our most crucial time which is around Labor Day," explains Melanie Pursel, executive director for the Chamber of Commerce.

Pursel tells us if overturned, the bill would cost local businesses money and jobs because most employees  around Ocean City are usually hourly, part time employees.