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.
Impact
By introducing this bill, the state anticipates an increase in organ donations among employees, potentially leading to better health outcomes for recipients and alleviating the organ shortage crisis. It emphasizes the state’s commitment to supporting public health initiatives. The act also includes provisions for employees to accrue sick and annual leave during their absence, reflecting a supportive workplace culture. However, it mandates employees to provide at least 30 days' notice before taking leave, which may be a point of contention for some regarding the nature of organ donation timing.
Summary
Bill S0588, known as the Organ-Donation Leave Act, aims to provide state employees with paid leave to undergo organ donation and recovery. Employees who have completed a probationary period and have worked a minimum of 1,250 hours in the preceding year may qualify for this leave. The duration of leave varies depending on the type of organ donated, allowing for up to 60 calendar days for kidney or liver segment donations and up to 30 calendar days for bone marrow donations. This policy underscores the importance of facilitating life-saving donations without penalizing the donor's employment status.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding Bill S0588 is the requirement for advance notice. Critics argue that organ donation can often be spontaneous, based on matching procedures and medical readiness, thus making a 30-day notice period impractical. There may be challenges to ensuring that all potential donors can navigate the bureaucracy in time, which could dissuade individuals from proceeding with donations. The balance between operational efficiency for employers and support for employees seeking to save lives is a key discussion point among stakeholders.
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.
Amends the definition of "small employer" for purposes of the small employer health insurance availability act to mean a business employing less than one hundred (100) employees rather than fifty (50) employees.
Increases the amount of parental or family leave available to an employee from thirteen (13) weeks to twenty-four (24) weeks in any two (2) calendar years.
Mandates that the work week be reduced to thirty-two hours and rate of pay for a thirty-two (32) hour workweek would remain the same as the rate of pay for forty hours.
Increases the amount of unpaid parental or family leave available to an employee, from thirteen (13) weeks to twenty-six (26) weeks, in any two (2) calendar years.
Repeals the law that allowed employers to pay some of their minor employees and employees who are full time students and not attained the age of nineteen (19), less than minimum hourly wages, requiring them to be paid a minimum hourly wage.
Requires employer to furnish items and conditions of employment and a pay stub explaining how wages were calculated/reasons for deductions/allows the employee to file a court action against employer for violation.
Requires employer to furnish items and conditions of employment and a pay stub explaining how wages were calculated/reasons for deductions/allows the employee to file a court action against employer for violation.
Allows teachers, state and municipal employees to retire upon the earlier of reaching age sixty (60) with thirty (30) years of service or the employee's retirement eligibility date under present state statutes.