What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Vetoed memo.274
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.400
- Substituted for A4099
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–2
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.658
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to labor
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to authorized leave for volunteer fire department members or volunteer ambulance squad members for states of emergency
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1604
Title of bill
An act to amend the labor law, in relation to authorized absences by members of volunteer fire departments and volunteer ambulance squads who respond to states of emergency
Purpose
To provide an authorized leave of absence from a place of employment for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who respond to a declared state of emergency.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Amends the Labor Law by adding a new section 202-1 relating to leave of absence for volunteer emergency responders. It provides that a volunteer firefighter or ambulance workers may request and shall be granted a leave of absence from his or her employer while engaged in the actual performance of duties during a declared state of emergency. The entire period of the absence shall be excused leave and not charged against any other leave to which such employee is entitled. The head of a fire department or ambulance service must certify such service, when requested to do so by an employer.
Nothing set forth by this section shall be construed to impede, infringe or diminish the rights and benefits which accrue to employees through bona fide collective bargaining agreements, or otherwise diminish the integrity of the existing collective bargaining relationship. It further prevents an employer from retaliating against an employee for their service as an enrolled member of a volunteer fire department or volunteer ambulance squad.
Justification
Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers are often called upon respond to states of emergency that are called by the state or federal governments. They perform critical services during these emergencies and are often away from their places of employment for days at a time, while serving with members of the National Guard and other responders. This bill seeks to provide them with protection from retaliation by their employer for their service as an enrolled member of a volunteer fire department or volunteer ambulance squad or for obtaining a leave of absence under this new section.
Prior legislative history
S. 6366A Passed Senate in 2012
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.