Provides for paid leave for a state employee who donates an organ. The duration of the leave is dependent on the type of donation and notice should be provided to the employer at least thirty (30) days prior to the leave.
The duration of the paid leave depends on the type of organ donated. Employees may take up to 60 calendar days for kidney or liver donations, and up to 30 days for bone marrow donations. This policy ensures that organ donors do not suffer financially during their recovery period, promoting both the health of employees and the welfare of the community by encouraging organ donations.
House Bill 5020, introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly, seeks to provide paid leave for state employees who undergo organ donations. This legislation amends Title 36 of the General Laws to create the Organ-Donation Leave Act. Under this act, employees who have completed an initial probationary period and have worked a minimum of 1,250 hours in the preceding year are eligible for paid leave when donating a kidney, a liver segment, or bone marrow, as well as for necessary recovery time following the donation.
If passed, HB 5020 would not only alter aspects of employee leave policies in the state but also potentially increase the number of organ donations by alleviating the concerns of employees about job security and financial strain. The bill signals a commitment to public health and supporting those who contribute to life-saving procedures.
Notably, the bill requires employees to provide a minimum notice of 30 days prior to taking the leave, which may present challenges in cases of urgent donations. Additionally, while eligible employees could utilize this leave without exhausting their sick or annual leave, there may be concerns regarding the coordination of this leave with other benefits, such as those under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).