House Concurrent Resolution 82

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PLEDGING TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING PAID LEAVE TO ANY PERSON WHO IS UNABLE TO WORK BECAUSE THE PERSON HAS BEEN CONFIRMED WITH COVID-19, THE PERSON'S EMPLOYER HAS SUSPENDED OR DISCONTINUED BUSINESS DUE TO COVID-19 OR THE PERSON'S EMPLOYER HAS REDUCED HIS OR HER WORK HOURS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 AND SUCH PERSON IS NOT PAID FOR THE LOSS OF WORK HOURS AND PAY RELATED TO THE DISCONTINUATION, REDUCTION OR CLOSURE, AS APPLICABLE.

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 virus has caused thousands of deaths nationwide, thousands to be hospitalized and thousands more to be quarantined; and

WHEREAS, as of March 15, 2020, no antivirus or vaccine exists, and our state recognizes the seriousness of this epidemic; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a virus that mainly spreads from person to person between people who are in close contact with one another, within about six feet, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Congress recommend postponement or cancellation of all in-person events that consist of 10 or more people because of how the virus spreads; and

WHEREAS, as a result of this recommendation and out of an abundance of caution, many businesses have temporarily closed their doors or reduced work hours to comply with these recommendations and lower exposure of the COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature understands that many employees will lose pay due to such closures, reductions or exposures related to COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature recognizes that many private employers cannot afford to pay employees when the employer is unable to make profits or experience a reduction in profits due to health safety and concerns related to COVID-19:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby pledge to provide funding to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security for the purpose of providing paid leave to any person who is unable to work because the person has been confirmed with COVID-19, the person's employer has suspended or discontinued business due to COVID-19 or the person's employer has reduced his or her work hours in response to COVID-19 and such person is not paid for the loss of work hours and pay related to the discontinuation, reduction or closure, as applicable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.