AB 2716 by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco — was modeled on the paid sick leave law that took effect last year in San Francisco. The bill passed the state Assembly in May and is scheduled for a hearing next week in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Business groups led by the California Chamber of Commerce oppose the sick leave bill, saying it is a complicated and costly mandate that could force companies to cut wages or lay off workers. “In this economy, money is stretched pretty thin for California employers,” said chamber spokeswoman Marti Fisher. “It’s a bad idea to mandate benefits. This could force employers to cut back on hours, raises or even lay people off.” Read More. (San Francisco Chronicle 07/31/08)