MS HB301

Requires employers to allow employees up to two hours of paid time off to vote in any municipal, county, state, or federal election, unless work hours begin at least two hours after polls open or end at least two hours before polls close.

Employees must provide at least one day notice to their employer before taking time off to vote, and employers may specify which hours employees may use for voting.

Hourly employees receive regular pay for time spent voting, not to exceed two hours, and no employee may be penalized, discharged, or have wages reduced for exercising voting rights.

Employers who violate this provision must forfeit all existing tax exemptions, tax credits, tax incentives, grants, and other monetary benefits from any public or private entity, and are barred from receiving new benefits for five years.

The Secretary of State's Office shall monitor violating employers for compliance during the five-year penalty period; effective July 1, 2017.