| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the rate of daily absences in high-stress state positions is growing and becoming more commonplace, as workers call in sick or simply do not show up for work due to burnout or other related reasons. In the case of the State's correctional facilities, where a lack of staffing could lead to dangerous conditions, workers are often required to stay on the job long after their shift has ended. This leads to further burnout and massive overtime costs for the State. The legislature further finds that allowing employees to cash out part of their accrued vacation leave and compensatory time off, which would otherwise be paid to them when they leave or retire, is a way to incentivize good attendance and improve the overall health of the State's correctional facilities. Additionally, by encouraging workers to report to work, the State can save money on overtime and reduce overall worker burnout. The purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a leave cash-out pilot program for department of corrections and rehabilitation employees who work in any state correctional facility. SECTION 2. (a) The department of corrections and rehabilitation shall establish a three-year leave cash-out pilot program for employees who work in any state correctional facility. (b) Participation in the leave cash-out pilot program by department of corrections and rehabilitation employees shall be voluntary. Under the program, at the end of each fiscal quarter, the department of corrections and rehabilitation shall offer an eligible employee, as determined by rule, a cash allowance equivalent to a maximum of seventy-five per cent of the employee's personal leave and compensatory time off accrued during that quarter. (c) The department of corrections and rehabilitation shall submit annual reports of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2025, 2026, and 2027; provided that the reports identify the following: (1) The number of individuals who qualified for the pilot program each quarter; (2) Any changes to the amount of overtime worked each quarter; (3) The cost to the department; provided that the cost includes the total amount that the department paid out as cash allowances to employees under the pilot program and does not factor in the costs associated with the changes to the amount of overtime worked; (4) Data on the percentages, in ranges of twenty-five per cent, of accrued leave and compensatory time off that employees received as cash allowances under the pilot program; and (5) Other information that the department may find relevant to highlight the benefits and challenges of the pilot program. (d) The department of corrections and rehabilitation shall, by mutual agreement between the department and the exclusive representative of any applicable collective bargaining unit, establish rules to implement the pilot program and determine eligibility requirements for participation in the leave cash-out program; provided that one of the eligibility requirements shall be that the employee has fewer than twenty-four hours of approved or unapproved leave of any type or compensatory time off during that quarter. SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the department of corrections and rehabilitation to establish a three-year leave cash-out pilot program for employees who work in any state correctional facility pursuant to section 2 of this Act. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of corrections and rehabilitation for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriations contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that: (1) The appropriations made in this Act are necessary to serve the public interest; and (2) The appropriations made in this Act meet the needs addressed by this Act. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the rate of daily absences in high-stress state positions is growing and becoming more commonplace, as workers call in sick or simply do not show up for work due to burnout or other related reasons. In the case of the State's correctional facilities and Hawaii state hospital, where a lack of staffing could lead to dangerous conditions, workers are often required to stay on the job long after their shift has ended. This leads to further burnout and massive overtime costs for the State. The legislature further finds that allowing employees to cash out part of their accrued vacation leave, which would otherwise be paid to them when they leave or retire, is a way to incentivize good attendance and improve the overall health of the State's correctional facilities and Hawaii state hospital. Additionally, by encouraging workers to report to work, the State can save money on overtime and reduce overall worker burnout. The purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for leave cash-out pilot programs for department of corrections and rehabilitation employees who work in any state correctional facility and department of health employees who work at the Hawaii state hospital. SECTION 2. (a) The department of corrections and rehabilitation shall establish a three-year leave cash-out pilot program for employees who work in any state correctional facility. (b) Participation in the leave cash-out pilot program by department of corrections and rehabilitation employees shall be voluntary. Under the program, at the end of each fiscal quarter, the department of corrections and rehabilitation shall offer an eligible employee, as determined by rule, a cash allowance equivalent to a maximum of seventy-five per cent of the employee's personal leave accrued during that quarter. (c) The department shall submit annual reports of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2025, 2026, and 2027; provided that the reports identify the following: (1) The number of individuals who qualified for the pilot program each quarter; (2) Any changes to the amount of overtime worked each quarter; (3) The cost to the department; provided that the cost includes the total amount that the department paid out as cash allowances to employees under the pilot program and does not factor in the costs associated with the changes to the amount of overtime worked; (4) Data on the percentages, in ranges of twenty-five per cent, of accrued leave that employees received as cash allowances under the pilot program; and (5) Other information that the department may find relevant to highlight the benefits and challenges of the pilot program. (d) The department of corrections and rehabilitation shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to implement the pilot program and determine eligibility requirements for participation in the leave cash-out program; provided that one of the eligibility requirements shall be that the employee has fewer than twenty-four hours of approved or unapproved leave of any type during that quarter. SECTION 3. (a) The department of health shall establish a three-year leave cash-out pilot program for employees who work at the Hawaii state hospital. (b) Participation in the leave cash-out pilot program by department of health employees shall be voluntary. Under the program, at the end of each fiscal quarter, the department of health shall offer an eligible employee, as determined by rule, a cash allowance equivalent to a maximum of seventy-five per cent of the employee's personal leave accrued during that quarter. (c) The department shall submit annual reports of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2025, 2026, and 2027; provided that the reports identify the following: (1) The number of individuals who qualified for the pilot program each quarter; (2) Any changes to the amount of overtime worked each quarter; (3) The cost to the department; provided that the cost includes the total amount that the department paid out as cash allowances to employees under the pilot program and does not factor in the costs associated with the changes to the amount of overtime worked; (4) Data on the percentages, in ranges of twenty-five per cent, of accrued leave that employees received as cash allowances under the pilot program; and (5) Other information that the department may find relevant to highlight the benefits and challenges of the pilot program. (d) The department of health shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to implement the pilot program and determine eligibility requirements for participation in the leave cash-out program; provided that one of the eligibility requirements shall be that the employee has fewer than twenty-four hours of approved or unapproved leave of any type during that quarter. SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the department of corrections and rehabilitation to establish a three-year leave cash-out pilot program for employees who work in any state correctional facility pursuant to section 2 of this Act. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of corrections and rehabilitation for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the department of health to establish a three-year leave cash-out pilot program for employees who work in the Hawaii state hospital pursuant to section 3 of this Act. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 6. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriations contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that: (1) The appropriations made in this Act are necessary to serve the public interest; and (2) The appropriations made in this Act meet the needs addressed by this Act. SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ |
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