Healthy Workplaces Act goes into effect today, all private New Mexico businesses to provide paid sick leave

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - New Mexico joins 16 other states in implementing paid sick time off.

The Healthy Workplaces Act goes into effect July 1, which means that all private businesses, regardless of size, have to provide paid sick leave for their employees.

Under the act, employees accrue one hour for every 30 hours worked and are capped at 64 hours a year.

Business owners can allow those 64 hours to be effective immediately or have employees accrue.

The leave may be used for mental or physical injury or illness, medical treatments, and regular doctor's appointments.

Employees who make tips should be paid the full state or local minimum wage, the greater of the two.

This act does not apply to independent contractors or state and local government workers.