DeAna Jimenez is a single mom who many times has had to choose between finding a family member or friend to care for her sick child or staying home and missing a day’s pay.

In Colorado, more than 813,000 private-sector workers, almost 43 percent of the state’s workforce, don’t have paid sick leave, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.

“I had to make the decision to lose a day’s pay that would buy a week of groceries or pay the electric bill,” Jimenez said.

Proposed federal legislation, the Healthy Families Act, would require certain employers who consistently employ 15 or more people to allow workers to earn at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours in a calendar year. Employers could choose to set a higher limit.

Paid sick time could be used to cover employees when they’re ill, caring for a sick family member, obtaining preventive care or seeking assistance related to domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault.

Jimenez now works for a small Boulder-based company that offers paid sick leave. “It’s such a relief. I can put my children first,” Jimenez said. “They’re the reason I go to work every day.”

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., a new co-sponsor of the bill, said in a statement Friday it would allow workers to take better care of themselves, be more productive and not spread illness in the workplace.

Republicans have criticized the legislation for saddling small business with another mandate that could cost American businesses more than $11 billion over five years.

The Center for Economic Policy Research said paid sick leave can reduce employee turnover and increase worker productivity.