Creates some exceptions for excused leave for certain purposes

BILL NUMBER:A10615

Title of bill

An act to amend the civil service law and the labor law, in relation to excused leave for certain purposes

Purpose or general idea of bill

This legislation prohibits teachers and educators who work less than a full year (three hundred sixty-five days a calendar year to take paid excused time for certain activities.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONSq Section 1:

Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 159-b of the Civil Service Law, as amended by Chapter 391 of the Laws of 2008, are amended so that provisions allowing public and other types of employees to take paid excused leave of four hours on an annual basis for breast cancer screen- ing exclude teachers and educators who work less than a full year or three-hundred and sixty-five dates in a calendar year.

Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 159-c of the Civil Service Law, as amended by Chapter 391 of the Laws of 2008, are amended so that teachers and educators who work full-time but less than three-hundred and sixty- five days in a calendar year are not provided with four hours of paid excused leave for prostrate cancer screening.

Justification

The New York State School Boards Association (NYSAC) issues annual reports documenting the costs of state mandates on school districts. These costs are significant, increasing the property tax burden on homeowners and renters. One mandate is providing teachers with four hours of paid excused time for cancer screenings. NYSAC staff has estimated that is costs 5500 per day for one teacher to take this leave since substitute teachers must be hired to replace him or her.

The New York State Union of Teachers estimates that there are approxi- mately 600,000 educators in the State and therefore the statewide costs for this practice approach 530 million. While teachers and educators work full-time during the school year, their school day varies so there is time during the day to take leave for such medical reasons. Teachers and educators also work close to 186 days per year, which affords them numerous opportunities outside of the school day to take time off.

The rationale for providing excused time to ensure that all educators have the chance to protect their health is a laudable one. It is, howev- er extremely expensive. New York State is undergoing a severe fiscal crisis, and every opportunity for savings must be taken. The removal of the paid excused time will not sacrifice teacher and educator health since time is available during the calendar year outside of the school day. The removal of paid excused time will result in substantial savings, lessening the onerous property tax burden on homeowners and renters.

Prior legislative history

This is new legislation.

Fiscal implications

Significant savings to school districts.

Effective date

This act shall take effect the.first calendar year after the legislation has been enacted.