Earned sick leave laws reduce the spread of contagious illnesses, increase employment and income stability, and save cities money in health care costs.
Sacramento receives a bronze in earned sick leave.
City has an earned sick leave law
Employee can use earned sick leave to care for family members
Employee can use earned sick leave for domestic violence recovery
Minimum amount of earned sick leave time employee can earn
Smallest business size covered under earned sick leave law
Children who attend high-quality pre-k are more likely to succeed in school, go on to stable jobs and earn more as adults—all of which are linked to better health and stronger communities.
Sacramento receives a bronze in high-quality, accessible pre-k.
Meets 8 out 10 quality benchmarks for a Pre-K program (For detailed breakdown, please see the Data Deep Dive section below)
Over 30% of children enrolled in Pre-K programs
As cities grow, it’s important that residents of all income levels have access to affordable housing that sets them up for good health.
Sacramento receives a silver in inclusionary zoning.
City has a mandatory inclusionary zoning law
Law requires program evaluation
Applies to projects of at least 10 units or less
Requires at least 20% of total project are affordable units
Complete streets policies unlock opportunities by allowing city residents to safely walk, bike, drive and take public transit around their community.
Sacramento receives a gold in complete streets.
City has a complete streets policy
Policy requires compliance
Policy accommodates pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transit vehicles
Policy explicitly accommodates all ages
Policy explicitly accommodates all abilities
Policy assigns a department to oversee implementation
Policy requires development of performance measures
These are policies that put cities in charge of the location and practices of alcohol retailers. Neighborhoods with high concentrations of alcohol sales are linked to more drinking and higher rates of violence and driving under the influence. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked 44% of all U.S. homicides with drinking. Policies that govern where, when and how alcohol may be sold in a neighborhood can reduce crime, increase safety, and decrease spending on health care and criminal justice.
Sacramento receives a silver in safer alcohol sales.
City has a law that applies to all alcohol sales, addresses public health and safety, and authorizes the city to close an alcohol retailer for failing to comply with the law.
City has a law that applies to some alcohol sales (such as only new retailers, or only retailers selling for off-premises consumption, e.g. grocery or convenience stores), addresses public health and safety, and authorizes the city to close an alcohol retailer for failing to comply with the law.
Curbing tobacco use among young adults has been shown to decrease the number of people who start—and continue—smoking.
Sacramento receives a gold in Tobacco 21.
Must set the minimum legal sale age of tobacco products to 21
The age restriction explicitly applies to all tobacco products, including e-cigarette and vapor products
Comprehensive smoke-free air laws protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke and reduce smokers’ consumption of tobacco—the leading cause of preventable death in the US.
Sacramento receives a silver in smoke free indoor air.
Total number of met criteria
1. Smoking is banned in non-hospitality workplaces, including workplaces, child care and long term care facilities
2. Smoking is banned in public places
3. Smoking is banned in restaurants
4. Smoking is banned in bars
Policies requiring food establishments to publicly post safety inspection “grades” empower consumers, reduce foodborne illness rates and cut down on health care costs.
Sacramento receives a gold in restaurant inspection ratings.
City uses a mandatory rating system to disclose the restaurant inspection results to the public
Restaurants must visibly post on-site rating/grades
Restaurants must post rating/grades outside before potential customer enters
Policies that make sure healthy food options are available on public property aid city residents in making smart decisions that will help them achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Sacramento receives a bronze in healthy food procurement.
City has a procurement policy mandating nutrition standards
Policy applies to all city contracts
If policy only applies to vending machines:
- More than 50% of food and beverages must meet standards
- More than 75% of food and beverages must meet standards
