87R5541 SCL-F
By: Springer S.B. No. 1401
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to quarantine leave for fire fighters, peace officers, and
emergency medical technicians employed by, appointed by, or elected
for a political subdivision.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 180, Local Government
Code, is amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 180. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS AFFECTING OFFICERS AND
EMPLOYEES OF MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF [MUNICIPALITIES, COUNTIES, AND
CERTAIN OTHER] LOCAL GOVERNMENT [GOVERNMENTS]
SECTION 2. Chapter 180, Local Government Code, is amended
by adding Section 180.008 to read as follows:
Sec. 180.008. QUARANTINE LEAVE FOR FIRE FIGHTERS, PEACE
OFFICERS, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Emergency medical technician" means an
individual who is:
(A) certified as an emergency medical technician
under Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code; and
(B) employed by a political subdivision.
(2) "Fire fighter" means a paid employee of a
municipal fire department or emergency services district who:
(A) holds a position that requires substantial
knowledge of fire fighting;
(B) has met the requirements for certification by
the Texas Commission on Fire Protection under Chapter 419,
Government Code; and
(C) performs a function listed in Section
143.003(4)(A).
(3) "Peace officer" means an individual described by
Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, who is elected for,
employed by, or appointed by a political subdivision.
(b) A political subdivision shall place on paid quarantine
leave a fire fighter, peace officer, or emergency medical
technician employed by the political subdivision and ordered by a
supervisor or a health authority to quarantine or isolate due to a
possible or known exposure to a communicable disease while on duty.
(c) A political subdivision shall provide to a fire fighter,
peace officer, or emergency medical technician on quarantine leave:
(1) all employment benefits and compensation,
including leave accrual, pension benefits, and health benefit plan
benefits; and
(2) costs related to the quarantine, including
lodging, medical, and transportation costs.
(d) A political subdivision may not reduce a fire fighter's,
peace officer's, or emergency medical technician's sick leave
balance, vacation leave balance, holiday leave balance, or other
paid leave balance in connection with quarantine leave required by
Subsection (b).
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.