Arizona Supreme Court Upholds State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Law

The Arizona Supreme Court recently upheld a voter-approved state minimum wage and earned paid sick time law – The Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act – which was challenged by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and other groups.

In a state supreme court order filed March 14, Chief Justice Scott Bales wrote, “the court, by a unanimous vote, rejects Petitioners’ challenges to the constitutionality of Proposition 206 (the law) and therefore denies the requested action relief.”

The Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act was featured on Arizona’s November 2016 ballot (Proposition 206) and includes:

• An increased state minimum wage to $10 Jan. 1, 2017, moving to $12 by 2020

• A new paid sick leave requirement, effective July 1, 2017, allowing all employees to accrue a minimum of one hour paid leave for every 30 hours worked

Shortly after the election, however, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit, claiming the ballot measure was unconstitutional and violated the state’s revenue sources and separate amendments rules. The state supreme court, as state above, rejected those challenges.

Posting Requirements

Arizona Minimum Wage and Earned Paid Sick Time postings are available now and must be displayed in a conspicuous place for employees.