out a domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking prevention or treatment program, an organization operating a shelter or providing counseling services, or a legal services organization or other organization providing assistance through the legal process. 5. Earned paid sick time (a) Earning of paid sick time (1) In general An employer shall provide each employee employed by the employer not less than 1 hour of earned paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, to be used as described in subsection (b). An employer shall not be required to permit an employee to earn, under this section, more than 56 hours of paid sick time in a year, unless the employer chooses to set a higher limit. (2) Exempt employees (A) In general Except as provided in paragraph (4), for purposes of this section, an employee who is exempt from overtime requirements under section 13(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 ( 29 U.S.C. 213(a)(1) ) shall be assumed to work 40 hours in each workweek. (B) Shorter normal workweek If the normal workweek of such an employee is less than 40 hours, the employee shall earn paid sick time based upon that normal workweek. (3) Special rule for smaller employers A smaller employer may provide paid sick time as provided under paragraph (1) but if such smaller employer opts not to do so, the smaller employer shall provide not fewer than 56 hours of unpaid sick time to each employee per year to be used for the same purposes and under the same conditions as set out in this Act. The provision and earning of unpaid sick time shall be treated in all respects the same as the provision and earning of paid sick time under this Act. References in this Act to paid sick time shall, with respect to smaller employers, be deemed to be references to unpaid sick time. (4) Dates for beginning to earn paid sick time and use Employees shall begin to earn paid sick time under this section at the commencement of their employment. An employee shall be entitled to use the earned paid sick time beginning on the 60th calendar