that has not been used. (7) Reinstatement If a covered direct care professional is separated from employment with an employer and is rehired, within 12 months after that separation, by the same employer, the employer shall reinstate the covered direct care professional’s previously earned paid sick time. The covered direct care professional shall be entitled to use the earned paid sick time and earn additional paid sick time at the recommencement of employment with the employer. (8) Prohibition An employer may not require, as a condition of providing paid sick time under this subtitle, that the covered direct care professional involved search for or find a replacement to cover the hours during which the covered direct care professional is using paid sick time. (b) Uses Paid sick time earned under this section may be used by a covered direct care professional for any of the following: (1) An absence resulting from a physical or mental illness, injury, or medical condition of the covered direct care professional. (2) An absence resulting from obtaining professional medical diagnosis or care, or preventive medical care, for the covered direct care professional. (3) An absence resulting from the closure of a covered direct care professional’s place of employment by order of a Federal or State public official with jurisdiction, or at the employer’s discretion, due to a public health emergency. (4) An absence because a Federal or State public official with jurisdiction or a health care provider has determined that the covered direct care professional’s presence in the community may jeopardize the health of others because of the covered direct care professional’s exposure to a communicable disease during a public health emergency, regardless of whether the covered direct care professional has actually contracted the communicable disease. (5) An absence for the purpose of caring for a child, a parent, a spouse, a domestic partner, or any other individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the