Bill > A158

This bill modifies existing laws regarding payments to public employees for unused sick leave, aiming to curb potential abuses and ensure accountability. Primarily, it prohibits payments for sick leave earned *after* a specified date, with exceptions for leave accrued before that date or before the expiration of existing contracts. It also introduces a forfeiture clause: if a public employee is convicted of certain crimes that involve or touch their employment, any payment for accumulated unused sick leave will be forfeited, and if indicted for such a crime, payment will be suspended. Furthermore, the bill establishes new rules for the use of sick leave, requiring medical verification for absences of six or more consecutive days, with penalties including unpaid leave and fines for violations, and these unpaid days will also be deducted from any retirement payout for unused sick leave. The Attorney General will develop guidelines to ensure public employers are notified of indictments or convictions relevant to these provisions.