A pair of state lawmakers are proposing requiring businesses to provide paid vacation time to employees working 20 hours or more each week.

The legislation (A.8354/S.8219) hasn’t attracted any co-sponsors yet, making passage this year unlikely. But while there are typically several bills proposed each session dealing with unemployment benefits or paid family leave, requirements for paid vacation are less common.

Assemblywoman Phara Souffrant Forrest, D-Bronx, and Sen. Jessica Ramos, D-Jackson Heights, propose requiring paid vacation time and including part-time employees in the requirement. They propose making employees eligible for two weeks of paid vacation after one year of employment, three weeks of paid vacation after three years of employment and four weeks of paid vacation after five full years of work.

“Guaranteeing paid vacation time in New York state would have several significant benefits,” Forrest and Ramos wrote in their legislative justification. “It would promote work-life balance, attract and retain talent, stimulate the economy, and contribute to overall societal well-being. By valuing the importance of rest, leisure, and personal

growth, the state can create a healthier and more productive workforce while enhancing the quality of life for its residents.”

Maine and Nevada are the only states that require businesses to offer paid vacations while 14 states require employers offer paid sick leave via similar laws, although employees may only use it for health-related issues. Last year Illinois passed legislation requiring employers to give workers time off based on hours worked, to be used for any reason. Illinois’ workers won’t have to explain the reason for their absence as long as they provide notice in accordance with reasonable employer standards, according to an Associated Press report.

Maine and Nevada also allow workers to decide how to use their time, but substantial exemptions apply. Maine’s Earned Paid Leave law only applies to employers with more than 10 employees, and Nevada’s exempts businesses with less than 50. Illinois’ will reach nearly all employees and has no limit based on the business size.

Seasonal workers such as lifeguards will be exempt, as will federal employees or college students who work non-full-time, temporary jobs for their university.

Small business advocacy organization National Federation of Independent Business opposed the Illinois bill, saying that it “imposed a one-size fits all mandate on all employers.”

The bill proposed by Forrest and Ramos was introduced shortly after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Illinois legislation into law.

“Firstly, it would promote a healthier work-life balance for employees,” Forrest and Ramos wrote in their legislative justification. “Taking regular time off from work allows individuals to recharge and rejuvenate, reducing stress and preventing burnout. By providing paid vacation time, the state recognizes the importance of rest and leisure in maintaining physical and mental well-being, ultimately leading to happier and more productive workers.”