; and (2) to support the nationwide implementation of confidential close call reporting system programs, as the Secretary determines appropriate. . (b) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following: 20177. Confidential close call reporting systems. . 20. Earned paid sick time (a) Earning of paid sick time (1) In general A rail carrier shall provide each rail carrier employee employed by the rail carrier not less than 1 hour of earned paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, to be used as described in this section. A rail carrier shall not be required to permit a rail carrier employee to earn, under this section, more than 56 hours of paid sick time in a year, unless the rail carrier chooses to set a higher limit. (2) Exempt employees (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), for purposes of this section, a rail carrier 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 deemed to work 40 hours in each workweek. (B) Shorter normal workweek If the normal workweek of such a rail carrier employee is less than 40 hours, the rail carrier employee shall earn paid sick time based upon that normal workweek. (3) Dates for beginning to earn paid sick time and use Except as provided in the second sentence of paragraph (7), a rail carrier employee shall begin to earn paid sick time under this section at the commencement of their employment. Except as provided in such sentence, a rail carrier employee shall be entitled to use the earned paid sick time beginning on the 60th calendar day following commencement of the rail carrier employee’s employment. After that 60th calendar day, the rail carrier employee may use the paid sick time as the time is earned. A rail carrier may, at the discretion of the rail carrier, loan paid sick time to a rail carrier employee for use by such rail carrier employee in advance of the rail carrier