Bill repealing sick leave provisions of Prop A passes Senate - sent to Governor Kehoe

By Ray McCarty, president and CEO, Associated Industries of Missouri

May 14, 2025 - The Missouri Senate passed a bill today that will totally repeal paid sick leave provisions of Proposition A following filibusters and negotiations over multiple legislative days spanning the last several weeks.

The passed version of HCS House Bill 567, 546, 758 & 958 (Gallick) repeals the paid sick leave provisions of Proposition A, mitigating the severe effects on Missouri businesses, details of which most voters were unaware.

Several compromise versions of the bill were negotiated over the last several weeks, but despite their public comments to the contrary, Democrat senators ultimately rejected all those compromises. The Senate employed a rarely used procedural motion to break a filibuster by Democrats and pass the version of the bill that was passed by the Missouri House.

"Missouri businesses are thankful the Missouri Senate has taken this bold action today," said Ray McCarty, president of Associated Industries of Missouri. "We have talked with hundreds of business leaders that are extremely concerned about the implications of the paid sick leave law, including not being able to control the use of sick leave, frivolous lawsuit provisions allowing employees to sue their employer if they perceive the employer has used their use of sick leave against them in any employment decision, etc. The Missouri Legislature has listened to these concerned business owners. We greatly appreciate their action today and we look forward to Governor Kehoe signing this legislation which is the top priority for Associated Industries of Missouri and many other business groups this legislative session."

The final version of the bill also eliminates the automatic inflation of the minimum wage after it reaches $15 per hour January 1, 2026, and requires public employers to abide by the new minimum wage law just like all other employers.

The bill now moves to Governor Mike Kehoe for his signature. If approved, the bill will be effective August 28, 2025.

NOTE: This means the paid sick leave law will remain in effect from May 1, 2025, through August 28, 2025, so employers are cautioned to be sure they comply with the law until the repeal is effective August 28, 2025.