New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) on Tuesday sued the Trump administration over Department of Labor regulations her office said illegally narrow eligibility for emergency family leave and paid sick leave during the coronavirus pandemic.

In the lawsuit, James argues the regulations directly contradict the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE signed into law March 18. The act includes provisions requiring paid sick leave and emergency family leave for employees unable to work due to the virus that is highly contagious and can cause severe respiratory symptoms.

The Department of Labor (DOL) rule, published April 1, allows employers to deny paid sick leave and emergency family leave to otherwise eligible workers if employers determine they do not have work for their employees.

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The law includes exemptions where health care providers' employers are concerned, similar to those of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

However, James argues that the DOL's rule that defines what a health care provider is is "unlawfully broad," going beyond that of the FMLA to include anyone employed at a doctor's office, hospital, clinical, medical school, nursing home or medical testing facility. Under the rule, these workers would not qualify for paid leave should they fall ill.

In addition, the rule predicates a worker's qualification to take leave on documentation they submit detailing their name, the dates the leave will take place, a qualifying reason to leave and a written statement that the employee is unable to work that includes the qualifying reason for the departure. James argues that this part of the regulation exceeds the department’s authority under the FFCRA by barring employees from taking their leave without employer consent.

“As the efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19 continue, I will continue to leverage the powers of my office to serve as a frontline defense for protecting the rights of people, especially those who need a hand up at this time,” James said in a statement.

“The paid sick leave and emergency family leave provisions of the FFCRA were enacted to protect public health and to provide economic security to working families. The Trump Administration’s rule makes it harder for New Yorkers and Americans throughout the country to claim these paid benefits, which unnecessarily puts more workers at risk of exposure to COVID-19. I will fight to prevent that from happening,” she added.

The lawsuit comes as New York City alone has confirmed more than 106,800 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and more than 6,182 deaths as of Tuesday, although New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Andrew CuomoNew York City bus driver knocked out by passenger he told to wear a mask 44 percent of high earners have considered leaving New York City: poll Media's anti-Trump coronavirus spin has real consequences MORE (D) has said in recent days that the worst of the pandemic in the state is likely over despite the necessity of continued social distancing.