Bill > S1389

This bill amends Chapter 7 of the General Laws by replacing Section 28, which outlines the powers and duties of the personnel administrator. The changes primarily focus on rules and regulations concerning sick leave and vacation leave for state employees. Specifically, the bill mandates that rules regulating sick leave must ensure that employees injured in the line of duty, and entitled to weekly cash benefits under Chapter 152 (workers' compensation), can be paid the difference between these benefits and their regular pay without using their accrued sick time, even if the injury is short-term. Furthermore, it requires that rules for both vacation and sick leave provide employees with credit for all prior service performed within the general court, executive and judicial branches, and offices of constitutional officers, as if that service was in their current department. This credit will be made available retroactively for at least three years, unless an employee has been separated from state service for more than three years before re-entering. The bill also clarifies that in cases of conflict between a collective bargaining agreement and these rules, the collective bargaining agreement will take precedence.