Relates to leave of absence time for volunteer emergency responder training

2 Co-sponsors

• Simcha Felder
• Mark Grisanti

BILL NUMBER:S3648A

Title of bill

An act to amend the volunteer firefighters' benefit law, the volunteer ambulance workers' benefit law and the labor law, in relation to a leave of absence for volunteer emergency responder training

Purpose

To require certain employers to provide six hours of authorized leave from work for volunteer emergency responder training.

Summary of provisions

Sections 1 and 2 of the bill amend the volunteer firefighters' benefit law and the volunteer ambulance workers' benefit law respectively to maintain existing coverage for volunteer emergency responder training.

Section 3 adds a new section to the labor law that requires employers to provide six hours of authorized leave time for active volunteer emergency responders to obtain volunteer firefighter or ambulance worker training.

Section 4 of the bill is the effective date.

Justification

Volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers risk their lives to ensure the safety, health and welfare of our citizens. Our communities depend on the services they provide on a daily basis and especially in times of crisis. However, the number of volunteer emergency responders in our communities is dwindling. One of the reasons for the decline in volunteers is simply a matter of time - hours of training are needed to become a volunteer emergency responder and to maintain those credentials.

By providing a modest amount of time for these brave individuals to obtain appropriate training, this bill will encourage individuals to continue their volunteer activities. This bill may also encourage individuals who would not ordinarily consider volunteering to begin to do so. Importantly, this bill also provides options and flexibility to employers by allowing employers to set convenient times and places for such training. The balance struck in this bill will help ensure that volunteer responders continue to provide the highest levels of service possible, while simultaneously providing employers with the ability to ensure that productivity is not compromised at the workplace.

Under current law, employees are entitled to authorized absences for blood donation to ensure adequate blood supply for life-saving surgical procedures. Because of the life-saving services provided by our volunteer emergency responders, a modest authorized absence benefit should also be provided for volunteer emergency responder training.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect the 120th day after it shall have become law.