Paid Sick Leave Law Upheld by Missouri Supreme Court as GOP Pushes Repeal

Paid Sick Leave Law Upheld by Missouri Supreme Court as GOP Pushes Repeal.

A new paid sick leave law, overwhelmingly supported by Missouri voters, is set to take effect Thursday after the state’s Supreme Court gave it the green light.

In a ruling issued Tuesday, the court upheld Proposition A, the ballot measure that requires most employers to provide paid sick time and gradually increases the minimum wage. Although one judge took issue with the legal reasoning, all seven justices agreed: the law is valid and will move forward.

“There was no election irregularity and the election results are valid,” wrote Chief Justice Mary Russell in the court’s opinion.

The decision delivers a major blow to business groups that have fought the measure since it passed with nearly 58% of the vote in November. But with the court now out of reach, opponents are pressing lawmakers to act quickly and repeal the sick leave mandate before the legislative session ends in mid-May.

A Long Push for Worker Protections

Under the new law, businesses with more than $500,000 in annual receipts must offer at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

Companies with fewer than 15 employees must allow workers to earn up to 40 hours annually, while larger employers will be required to provide at least 56 hours.

Advocates say the law represents a historic shift in Missouri labor policy – one that will bring relief to low-wage workers across the state who have long gone without even the most basic workplace protections.

“For years, we’ve been fighting for the right to stay home when we’re sick without losing a paycheck,” said Terrence Wise, a Kansas City fast-food worker and leader with the Missouri Workers Center. “This proves that when workers organize and speak up, we can win real change.”

According to the Missouri Budget Project, the new sick leave provisions will cover roughly 728,000 workers, over one-third of the state’s workforce.

Legal Challenge Rejected

The lawsuit that landed before the Missouri Supreme Court was brought by a coalition of business groups and individual plaintiffs. They argued the ballot measure violated state constitutional requirements by bundling unrelated subjects together and failing to provide a clear and accurate title.

But the justices dismissed those claims, ruling the court lacked jurisdiction to overturn the results of a certified election based on those grounds.

The ruling closes the door on further legal challenges to Prop A, at least for now.

Attention Turns to the Capitol

Although business interests failed to stop the law in court, they are redoubling their efforts in Jefferson City.

A bill pending in the Missouri Senate, House Bill 567 – would roll back the sick leave requirement entirely. It would also freeze minimum wage increases once the rate hits $15 an hour in 2026, eliminating the inflation adjustment voters approved years ago.

Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, issued a statement immediately after Tuesday’s ruling, urging the General Assembly to act before it’s too late.

“In light of today’s decision, it is now imperative that the Missouri General Assembly pass HB 567.” she said.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City) and Rep. Sherri Gallick (R-Belton), cleared the House earlier this session but has since stalled in the Senate amid mounting opposition and procedural delays.

Gridlock in the Senate

The Senate has become the latest arena for the fight over the future of Prop A. Democrats have used procedural tactics, including two extended filibusters this month, to block progress on the repeal bill.

Sen. Brian Williams, a Democrat from University City, took to the floor Tuesday morning and spoke for over two hours, accusing some lawmakers of breaking promises made during negotiations.

“There’s been bad faith, deception, and complete disregard for what Missouri voters supported,” he said. “This isn’t how democracy is supposed to work.”

Republican leadership, meanwhile, remains determined to push the bill through before the session adjourns on May 16. Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Shelbina) has been among the most vocal advocates for full repeal, arguing that the law is too burdensome for small business owners.

“It is financially burdensome, just short of devastating,” said Buddy Lahl, CEO of the Missouri Restaurant Association. “These are complex mandates for mom-and-pop operations already struggling to stay afloat.”

The ruling places Missouri among a growing number of states expanding worker protections through ballot initiatives, a trend that’s gained momentum in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. At least 15 states now require some form of paid sick leave, though requirements vary widely.

Supporters argue such policies not only benefit workers but also help public health by reducing the spread of illness in workplaces.

In Missouri, the law’s passage reflects a broader shift in public sentiment, particularly among low-wage and hourly workers who bore the brunt of the pandemic without access to basic benefits like sick days.

Labor organizers say Proposition A is part of a larger push to close those gaps and that the court’s decision reinforces the power of voter-led reform in states where legislative efforts have stalled.

More Articles from Lawyer Monthly

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *