HB5905 Summary

• Prohibits employers from discriminating against, disciplining, or discharging employees who are emergency responders or who are absent to respond to emergencies within specified conditions.

• Defines emergency responders as individuals with required licenses or certifications (EMS personnel, nurses, firefighters, public health practitioners, etc.) who provide volunteer or on-call assistance during emergencies, excluding law enforcement.

• Allows employee absences for emergency response if the emergency began before their shift or occurs during their shift within 15 miles of their work location, provided they verify the emergency need and the absence does not create workplace safety concerns.

• Permits employers to treat emergency response absences as paid or unpaid time off and does not override existing collective bargaining agreements or employee benefit plans.

• Grants employees and former employees the right to bring civil actions for damages or equitable relief for violations; requires emergency responder status notification within 30 days and annual documentation updates.