Court Blocks San Antonio’s Paid-Sick-Leave Law

Mere days before San Antonio's sick and safe leave ordinance was set to go into effect, the law was once again put on hold. In a recent ruling, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai temporarily delayed the start of the paid leave ordinance, which was set to take effect on Dec. 1.

The law aims to require San Antonio employers to provide paid sick leave to an estimated 354,000 workers in the city. But a coalition of local business groups filed suit, contending that the ordinance violates the Texas Minimum Wage Act. The coalition sought—and just received—an injunction from Sakai to stop the law from taking effect while the lawsuit remains pending. The court has not yet set a trial date for the suit.

San Antonio is one of three Texas cities that have recently attempted to implement paid-sick-leave ordinances. During the past year, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio each passed an ordinance requiring private-sector employers to provide paid sick leave. However, all three ordinances are now involved in lawsuits challenging their legality.

Austin

In November 2018, a state appeals court entered a temporary injunction blocking implementation of the Austin ordinance. The city appealed this decision to the Texas Supreme Court, and the parties are expected to file briefs supporting their arguments on December 4. The Texas Supreme Court is not expected to issue a decision until the spring of 2020, so the temporary injunction will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

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