AG James Secures Court Win Against Trump Admin for Unlawful Regulations Restricting Coronavirus-Based Paid Sick Leave

NEW YORK – Following today’s decision by the federal court to invalidate parts of the paid leave regulation that unlawfully restricted eligibility for paid sick and family leave during a public health crisis, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following statement:

“Today’s ruling is an important win for the workers who are putting their health and their lives on the line as COVID-19 rages on. In these uncertain times, individuals throughout New York and across the country are relying on the very paid benefits that the Trump Administration is trying to keep them from claiming. I will continue to do everything in my power to protect the rights of our people.”

In April 2020, Attorney General James filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration challenging its rule that unlawfully narrows workers’ rights to paid sick leave and emergency family leave during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The regulations put forth by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) contradict the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and risk denying vital financial support during an unprecedented crisis and exposing workers, their families, and their communities to unnecessary spread of COVID-19.

Additionally, Attorney General James filed a motion for summary judgment, requesting that the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York block the Trump Administration’s regulations and restore the FFCRA to its intended effect. Today’s decision largely granted the Attorney General’s motion for summary judgement.