In an announcement earlier this year, President Biden declared that the Federal COVID-19 public health emergency will end May 11th. It had been renewed 12 times by Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. In Colorado that declaration starts the 4-week timer until PHE paid leave ends at the state level. Some federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP may see an end to flexibility with certain requirements that had been bypassed or modified during the pandemic. Participants in those programs, as well as group and individual health plans, may see changes in their cost for COVID-19 testing, vaccination and other related services.
Assuming no further changes, extensions or declarations on the part of federal or state entities, June 8th will mark the final day that PHE paid leave will be offered in Colorado. Employers should note that this has no impact on the state-wide accrued paid sick leave that took effect in January 2021, as that requirement to provide one hour of paid leave per 30 hours worked up to 48 each year remains intact. Keep in mind that if a local, state, or federal PHE is declared in the future, the PHE provision of the HFWA will go back into effect.
As always, contact your Account Manager or the HR Director here at InTANDEM Human Resources with any questions on this or other HR and payroll matters.
