A coalition trying to put mandatory paid sick days into state law says it has gathered enough signatures to present the issue to lawmakers.
The Ohio Healthy Families Act would require businesses with 25 or more employees to give full-time employees seven paid sick days each year. Part-time employees could earn sick days on a prorated basis.
The measure is backed by a broad coalition including the Service Employees International Union and the AFLCIO.
The coalition says it has gathered about 140,000 signatures and plans to get more. It needs at least 120,683 valid signatures to give lawmakers the sick-day proposal.
If the Legislature fails to act, the coalition can gather more signatures to place the proposal directly on the 2008 ballot. (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-10-22-07 1314EDT
