NY A04484

Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics who test positive for or display symptoms of a pandemic virus after exposure would be entitled to line of duty sick leave at their regular rate of pay

Line of duty sick leave would be granted without requiring employees to use their accrued sick leave, and would begin on the date of diagnosis or first symptoms

Employers would be prohibited from taking adverse personnel actions such as discipline, discharge, suspension, or demotion against employees who request or use pandemic-related sick leave

Employees must submit a written request for leave that includes a HIPAA waiver allowing disclosure of their exposure, positive test, and related medical records to the retirement system for claim processing

The state would reimburse public authorities and municipal corporations with populations under one million for the costs of providing this line of duty sick leave