In a significant policy reversal, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed legislation on July 10, 2025, repealing the paid sick leave law that voters had approved less than a year ago. The repeal, effective August 28, 2025, ends the statewide mandate requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to workers, a provision that had been set to take effect from May 1, 2025. This move also halts the automatic inflation-based increases to the state’s minimum wage, another key element of the voter-approved Proposition A from November 2024.
Paid Sick Leave Law Repealed: What It Means for Missouri Workers
The original law, passed by nearly 58% of Missouri voters, required employers to provide employees with one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Businesses with 15 or fewer employees were to offer at least five paid sick days annually, while larger employers had to provide at least seven. The leave could be used for personal illness or to care for family members. The law was designed to support workers who often faced the difficult choice between earning a paycheck and caring for their health or that of their loved ones.
Governor Kehoe, however, described the law as an onerous mandate that imposed heavy administrative burdens on businesses, particularly small enterprises. In a statement, he emphasized protecting “families, job creators, and small business owners” by cutting taxes, reducing government overreach, and eliminating costly mandates. The repeal was welcomed by Missouri’s largest business groups, who had opposed the paid sick leave requirement from the start.
For workers and advocates, the repeal is a harsh setback. Richard von Glahn, a policy director who backed the original initiative, called the repeal “an absolute betrayal,” highlighting how many parents felt forced to work while their children were sick simply to pay rent and utilities. Democratic leaders in the state legislature criticized the governor’s action, suggesting the issue will likely return to the ballot as a constitutional amendment to secure worker protections beyond legislative reach.
Impact on Minimum Wage and Employer Obligations
Alongside the repeal of paid sick leave, the new law also cancels the automatic Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments to Missouri’s minimum wage that voters had approved. Proposition A had planned to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2026, starting with $13.75 in 2025. The repeal leaves these wage levels intact for now but removes the mechanism for future increases tied to inflation.
Employers must continue to comply with the paid sick leave law until August 27, 2025. After that date, they are no longer obligated to provide paid sick leave or allow accrual of such leave for hours worked. This interim period creates uncertainty for both employers and employees regarding accrued benefits and job protections related to the paid sick leave statute.
Employers who implemented new paid sick leave benefits solely due to the law may now reconsider whether to maintain these benefits or roll them back after the repeal takes effect. Those who used existing paid time off plans to comply might also adjust their policies accordingly. The state has yet to issue detailed guidance on how to manage these transitions, leaving employers to navigate this change carefully.
Key Points Summary
- Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed HB 567 on July 10, 2025, repealing the paid sick leave law approved by voters in November 2024.
- The repeal takes effect on August 28, 2025, ending the requirement for employers to provide paid sick leave.
- The law initially required one hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked, with minimum annual days based on employer size.
- The repeal also cancels automatic inflation-based increases to Missouri’s minimum wage.
- Employers must comply with the paid sick leave law until August 27, 2025, after which the mandate ends.
- Worker advocates condemn the repeal as a betrayal, while business groups praise it for reducing regulatory burdens.
- The issue is expected to resurface in future ballots, potentially as a constitutional amendment.
What’s Next for Missouri Workers and Employers?
This repeal marks a rare instance where a voter-approved labor protection was overturned by the state legislature and governor shortly after its approval. The decision underscores ongoing political tensions in Missouri between labor advocates and business interests.
Workers who had anticipated paid sick leave protections now face uncertainty, especially those balancing health and financial stability. Meanwhile, employers must decide how to handle accrued sick leave benefits and adjust their policies accordingly.
Missouri’s paid sick leave repeal also highlights the broader national debate over worker protections and minimum wage policies. With no federal law mandating paid sick leave, states remain the primary battleground for these issues.
As the political and legal battles continue, Missouri voters may soon see this issue return to the ballot, potentially with stronger constitutional safeguards to prevent future repeals.
Missouri residents and business owners should stay informed about upcoming legislative actions and ballot initiatives that could affect worker rights and employer responsibilities in the near future.
Support fair labor policies and stay engaged in your community’s decisions about worker protections. Your voice matters in shaping Missouri’s future workplace standards.