***For Immediate Release***
May 28, 2025
Contact: Sierra Salgado Pirigyi
Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed
Office: (402) 438-8853 ext 116
sierrasp@neappleseed.org
RELEASE: Nebraska Legislature passes bill to restrict paid sick leave, defying constituents
LB415 removes paid sick leave protections from 140,000 hardworking Nebraskans
LINCOLN, NE — Today, 33 senators blatantly disregarded the will of Nebraskans by voting to pass LB415 on Final Reading. The bill will now head to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
LB415, introduced by Senator Beau Ballard, will remove paid sick leave protections from 140,000 hardworking Nebraskans by:
- Exempting several groups of workers from receiving paid sick leave, including seasonal and temporary agricultural workers, and workers under the age of 16;
- Exempting businesses with 10 or fewer employees from having to provide paid sick leave; and
- Removing important protections for workers who face retaliation from their employers for using paid sick leave.
The Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans coalition issued the following statement:
“Despite thousands of Nebraskans demanding that our Legislature honor the clear will of voters, 33 senators ignored those calls yet again today. Instead, they have undermined 75% of Nebraska voters who approved Initiative 436, which included support in 89 of 93 counties and majority support from voters in every single legislative district.
Working families are the engine of our economy. The ability to earn and use paid sick leave helps hardworking Nebraskans, businesses, and our communities, and means people won’t have to choose between the paycheck they need and their family’s health. LB415 substantially weakens the paid sick leave policy that was overwhelmingly supported by Nebraska voters, and it will prevent thousands of Nebraskans from being able to access the good life.”
The Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans coalition includes the following members:
ACLU of Nebraska
Nebraska Appleseed
Nebraska Appleseed Action Fund
Nebraska Civic Engagement Table
Nebraska State AFL-CIO
Omaha Together One Community
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska
Second House Collaborative
The Women’s Fund of Omaha
Voices for Children in Nebraska
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