Paid military leave legislation

Townships may soon be required to provide at least 26 days of paid military leave for firefighters and law enforcement officers under legislation considered by the House Government Operations Committee. House Bill 5233, sponsored by Rep. Ron Robinson (R-Utica), would require law enforcement agencies and organized fire departments to provide a minimum of 26 days of paid military leave at the beginning of each year for employees who are enlisted in the Army or Air National Guard or in the reserves (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard). The leave would include time off from the individual’s employment for military training or performance of military duty as well as a preinduction physical for those seeking to enlist. The employee seeking to use the paid military leave would have to be paid at their regular rate of pay and, if covered by a collective bargaining agreement, be provided all contractually required benefits and accruals. MTA is seeking clarifying amendments including exclusion of part-time employees, definition of days (versus hours) and impact on final average compensation. HB 5232, sponsored by Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth Chtr. Twp.), is tie-barred to HB 5233 and would amend the act that allows local units to provide paid leave or differential pay for military leave to reflect the requirements of HB 5233. The bills are scheduled for a vote by the committee soon.