Bill > H1638

This bill aims to protect the employment benefits of members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGA) who participate in emergency operational missions. The key provisions are: 1. Employers must grant at least 10 days of unpaid leave per year to CAP and CGA members to participate in emergency missions authorized by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or state emergency management agencies. 2. Employers cannot require employees to use other leave or face disciplinary action for participating in these emergency missions. 3. Employers can request documentation from the employee's commander to verify their participation in the mission, and may deny leave if the documentation is not provided. 4. Employees can use up to 5 consecutive days of leave within a 10-day period, after which employers can require them to return to work before granting additional leave. 5. The right to this leave cannot be negotiated away in collective bargaining agreements or individual contracts, though employees can use their own accrued paid leave if the employer agrees. 6. Employers providing first responder or disaster response services are exempt from this requirement when their employees are participating in the same or simultaneous emergency operations. The bill aims to support and maintain the rapid emergency response capabilities of the CAP and CGA by protecting the employment rights of their members.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1638