A bill for an act relating to leaves of absence from civil public employment for members of the military.
Summary
HF 2146 amends Iowa law governing leave from civil public employment for members of the military and related service organizations. Under current law, state, county, municipal, and other civil public employees who are called to state active duty, National Guard duty, federal active duty, or Civil Air Patrol duty are entitled to leave without loss of status or efficiency rating, and with pay for the first 30 days. The bill clarifies how that paid leave is counted when an employee’s workday spans a continuous period of up to 24 hours.
Specifically, the bill provides that if a workday covers up to 24 consecutive hours, even if it crosses one or two calendar days, the employee is required to take only one day of leave for that workday. It also states that each such workday counts as one day toward the 30-day paid leave entitlement. The bill also makes a conforming clarification that the leave provisions apply to members of the National Disaster Medical System when activated for federal service.
Impact
The bill would amend Iowa Code section 29A.28, which governs military leave for civil public employees, by clarifying the calculation of paid leave days for long or overnight shifts. This affects state employees and employees of political subdivisions and municipalities who are called to qualifying military or emergency service, ensuring that a single 24-hour workday is treated as one leave day for purposes of the 30-day paid leave benefit. The practical effect is to prevent multiple leave days from being charged for one continuous duty period that spans midnight or two calendar days.
Sentiment
The available record shows the bill was introduced and referred to the House State Government Committee, but there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears technical and supportive of service members, with a clear administrative purpose rather than a controversial policy change. The overall sentiment inferred from the proposal is favorable toward clarifying and protecting paid leave benefits for public employees serving in military or emergency roles.
Contention
No direct opposition or debate is documented in the provided materials. The only potentially sensitive issue is the accounting method for paid leave, since the bill specifies that a continuous 24-hour workday counts as one day even if it crosses calendar days, which could affect how employers track paid leave usage and payroll costs. Otherwise, the measure appears narrowly focused and noncontroversial, with the main beneficiaries being public employees on qualifying duty and the main administrators being state and local government employers.
Modifies laws regarding compensation and leaves of absence for certain public employees who served in the military; requires public employers follow certain policies and procedures for leaves of absence.
Modifies laws regarding compensation and leaves of absence for certain public employees who served in the military; requires public employers follow certain policies and procedures for leaves of absence.
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 54-03-27 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to leaves of absence from employment for members of the legislative assembly.