Sick leave bank for one employee

Summary#

H-5695, “An Act establishing a sick leave bank for Jonathan Murphy, an employee of the Human Resources Division,” would create a standalone law, not amend a named Act. It would require the Human Resources Division (HRD) in the Executive Office of Administration and Management to set up a sick leave bank for Murphy; the stated goal is to do so without delay.

  • Any HRD employee may voluntarily contribute one or more sick, personal, or vacation days to the bank.
  • The bank’s days may be used only for absences related to the illness or disability that led to its creation, as determined by HRD.
  • If Murphy leaves the department or asks to dissolve the bank, any remaining time must be transferred to the extended illness leave bank.
  • The bill declares itself an emergency law, but the supplied information does not establish whether it has become law.

What it means for you#

  • Jonathan Murphy: The bill would establish a leave bank for his use, limited to absences related to the illness or disability HRD determines led to the bank’s creation.
  • Other HRD employees: You could choose to contribute sick, personal, or vacation days. The bill does not require anyone to contribute.
  • HRD: It would have to establish the bank and determine whether an absence meets the bill’s illness-or-disability condition.
  • Other employees and the public: The bill does not directly change anyone else’s leave rights or create a general sick leave program.

Money#

No publicly available information on the cost.

  • The bill requires HRD to establish the bank, but gives no estimate for staffing or administrative costs.
  • Contributions are leave days, not money. The bill does not set a public payment or benefit amount.

What is unclear#

  • The bill does not define the illness or disability, or say what evidence HRD may require or how it must make its determination.
  • It sets no limit on the number of days contributed or the bank’s duration.
  • It does not explain how the existing extended illness leave bank works or how transferred time would be handled.
  • The supplied status fields conflict: one says “Senate concurred” and another says “Introduced.” Whether the bill has become law is unclear.
  • The supplied materials do not include current laws or rules, so existing sick-leave-bank arrangements cannot be verified.

Case for#

  • The bill appears intended to give one named employee access to donated leave for a specified illness or disability.
  • Voluntary contributions let HRD employees decide whether to give up their own leave.
  • The rule limiting use to related absences, and transferring unused time when the bank ends, set boundaries on the bank.

Case against#

  • HRD would decide whether an absence is related to the illness or disability, but the bill gives no decision process or review option.
  • The bill does not set limits on how much leave may be contributed or used.
  • It requires HRD to establish and administer the bank without stating the staffing or cost involved.