Bill > S3749

Introduced Session

This bill requires a State employee to work in person if the duties and responsibilities of the State employee require face-to-face interaction with the public. Under this bill, in-person work for those State employees required to work in person would commence on the 30th business day following the enactment of the bill. The head of the State agency, in consultation with the head of human resources or the head of personnel at the State agency, is also required to publish on the website of that State agency a reopening plan not later than the 15th business day following the enactment of the bill that details the procedures and policies related to having those impacted State employees return to in-person work for the duration of the public health emergency and state of emergency declared on March 9, 2020 by the Governor, pursuant to Executive Order No. 103 of 2020, and as extended. The reopening plans must include, but need not be limited to, the following: (1) the personal protective equipment that will be provided by the State agency, the additional cleaning protocols to be implemented, and the efforts to ensure social distancing at the State agency; (2) the actions the State agency will take to protect State employees who are required to work in locations outside of the State agency office building for activities such as audits and inspections; (3) the requirements that members of the public must meet in order to enter the State agency office building; and (4) a description of the proper contingencies for State employees who have a high risk of contracting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The bill provides that if the head of the State agency determines that a temporary closure of a State agency office building is necessary, the head of the State agency must provide the public with reasonable alternatives consistent with any federal and State laws. Reasonable alternatives may include electronic or technological platforms, including platforms that offer interactive, real-time, two-way audio or video capabilities, or the use of a mobile unit at or nearby the State agency office building. Under this bill, the head of the State agency is also required to report to the Governor and the Legislature not later than 60 business days on the measures taken to implement the provisions in the bill.

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Holly Schepisi (R)*,  Mike Testa (R)*,  Tony Bucco (R), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 05/11/2021)