TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--Some lawmakers are hoping Governor Rick Scott vetoes a bill that would take away local government's control that allows them to mandate sick leave benefits.
"We want to make sure we have a healthy state and that their children are growing up healthy, and to make sure that everyone of us are healthy and can take care of our health care needs," said Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda.
Right now counties have a choice whether or not to require private businesses to offer family and medical leave to their employees.
"If the governor signs this bill, any county ordinance mandating sick leave would be illegal," said Rehwinkel Vasilinda.
The district 9 democrat representative says this could have even more of an impact on part time employees who can't afford to take time off from work to take their kids to the doctor.
"If they have a sick child at home or if their sick themselves, they have to drag themselves to work because they can't call in sick because the employer can say, ok you're sick, you can't come to work, you're out of here," Rehwinkel Vasilinda.
Cragin Mosteller, the director the Florida Association of Counties says they support county control and keeping it local.
"What works for Pensacola may not work for Miami, what works for Tallahassee doesn't necessarily work for Palm Beach," said Mosteller.
Supporters of the measure say its the best idea because it creates a uniform policy for businesses to follow across the state.
"There are some counties its going to be really important to provide businesses with flexibility and they may not every want to debate and ordinance like this for other counties they might have other employee issues and want to see stronger benefits across their community," said Mosteller.
Thousands of parents have already sent their signatures to the governors office asking him to veto the bill.
The governor now has 15 days to decide whether or not to sign.
