Bill > H7159

This bill establishes the "Organ-Donation Leave Act" for state employees in Rhode Island, providing paid leave for those who donate a kidney, liver segment, or bone marrow to medically recover. To be eligible, a state employee must have completed their probationary period and worked at least 1,250 hours in the preceding year, and can only use this leave once every twelve months. The duration of the paid leave varies depending on the type of donation: up to sixty calendar days for kidney or liver donation, and up to thirty calendar days for bone marrow donation, or until medically cleared by a doctor, whichever comes first. Employees are required to provide at least thirty days' notice to their employer before taking this leave, or as much notice as is practicable. During this paid leave, employees will continue to receive their base pay, and this time will count towards step increases and other benefits like Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitlements, while still accruing sick and annual leave. The bill also clarifies that paid holidays occurring during the leave do not extend the leave period and that employees do not need to exhaust their existing sick or annual leave before taking organ-donation leave. This act will become effective immediately upon its passage.

Budget and Finance

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