HB 1085 Summary

• Expands paid disaster leave to include state employees and police reserve officers responding to disasters declared by the Red Cross or Department of Homeland Security, effective July 1, 2011.

• Allows state employees up to 15 work days per fiscal year of paid leave to perform specialized disaster relief services when requested by the Red Cross or Department of Homeland Security with supervisor consent.

• Requires state employees and police reserve officers to have certification on file and remain available for activation during declared emergencies or disasters.

• Grants state employees paid leave for training approved by the Department of Homeland Security and maintains their compensation and benefit coverage during disaster response.

• Applies the same disaster leave protections and obligations to police reserve officers as state employees when responding to Red Cross or Department of Homeland Security declared disasters proclaimed by the governor.