ALBANY, N.Y. -- Should employees get paid for sick time? That was the discussion at an Albany County legislature public hearing Tuesday night.

According to the legislature, 40 percent of employees in the county do not have paid sick time. Legislators are currently considering a law that would give full and part time workers one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked.

Those in favor say it would prevent employees from working while they're sick. But many small business owners say this creates a large burden and it could kill jobs.

"If I have to pay them to stay home, and I bring someone else in on a nice day like today to cover that shift, that's an additional $15 and now I'm up to $30 an hour. Plus the additional payroll cost, I'm up to $34, $35 an hour," said business owner Charles Guptill.

"Employees need the job security to know their jobs are not in jeopardy if they're absent from work due to legitimate health care issues," said Brenda Robinson of the Black Nurses Coalition.

The bill is currently in committee. If it makes it out, the earliest legislators could vote on the proposal is July.