WASHINGTON (WMAL) — A new bill in Montgomery County, if passed, would require employers to provide full-time work to janitors and office cleaners in the county’s largest office buildings. With 30 hours a week, workers are eligible for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

Julie Karant with the service employees union says it would mean less dependence on government programs.

“A lot of these workers, unfortunately, have no choice but to accept part-time hours that leaves them struggling to support themselves and their families,” she said.

The legislation, introduced by Councilmember Hans Riemer, would require that maintenance workers at privately-owned office buildings with at least 400,000 square feet are granted at least 30 hours of work per week.

A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 19.

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