Rhode Island Legislators Seek Overtime Pay for Health Care Workers on Weekends

PROVIDENCE, RI — State lawmakers are sponsoring a bill to ensure health care workers receive overtime pay for Sundays and holidays.

State Rep. Enrique George Sanchez and Senate Labor and Gaming Committee Chairman John P. Burke are sponsoring the measure, according to a media release.

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Currently, hourly workers in Rhode Island typically earn time-and-a-half for Sunday and holiday work, the release said, but the health care industry is among those exempted from this requirement.

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Sanchez said some of the lowest-paid health care professionals are hourly workers who consistently work Sundays and holidays, according to the release.

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The bill would mandate that all health care workers and medical direct support professionals employed in a health care facility be compensated at time-and-a-half for Sunday and holiday shifts, the release said.

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Chairman Burke plans to introduce companion legislation in the Senate in the near future, according to the release.

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