On December 6, 2024, several individuals and groups (including but not limited to the Missouri Restaurant Association and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce) filed a lawsuit with the Missouri Supreme Court, challenging the recent passage of Proposition A —that is, the ballot initiative whereby Missouri voters approved a new paid sick leave law.
That new paid sick leave law is set to take effect in May 2025 (while the new minimum wage hikes will take effect on January 1, 2025). However, this new legal challenge may throw a wrench into it ever coming into effect. The lawsuit challenges the ballot initiative on several grounds, including having an insufficient and unfair description of the law on the ballot and having more than one issue or subject included in one ballot initiative.
Only time will tell if the lawsuit succeeds. But we may not need to wait long. On December 11, 2024, the challengers moved to expedite the legal proceedings in the lawsuit, given the impending effective dates. However, the state has opposed this request. So stay tuned for further developments.
Do not hesitate to contact a member of the Labor & Employment Team here at Sandberg Phoenix with any questions you have in the interim.
