AR SB455

Establishes a uniform catastrophic leave program for municipalities (first and second class cities and incorporated towns) that may be adopted by ordinance, allowing employees to irrevocably donate accrued leave to the program.

Permits municipalities to create a "presumptive illness list" based on peer-reviewed scientific data for illnesses that automatically qualify for catastrophic leave benefits.

Grants catastrophic leave with pay to full-time employees who have exhausted available leave, worked for the municipality for at least 5 consecutive years (or shorter term if municipality determines), provide acceptable medical certification, and have not been disciplined for leave abuse in the preceding 5 years.

Specifies that catastrophic leave runs concurrently with federal Family and Medical Leave Act protections, is donated and used in one-hour increments, cannot be awarded retroactively, and is unavailable if the absence is covered by workers' compensation benefits.

Extends catastrophic leave program authority to municipal police and fire departments, defining "presumptive illness list" for these departments as chronic or fatal illnesses.