SB63 - BEREAVEMENT LEAVE AMENDMENTS
On Friday, Jan 21, 1st Substitute Senate Bill 63, Bereavement Leave Amendments, was presented to the Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Standing Committee. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Harper, is an amendment to the bereavement leave benefit already in place for state employees; 3 days of paid leave for the death of an employee’s family member. S.B. 63 would expand the benefit to include employees who lose a child due to miscarriage or still-birth. The bill has a fiscal note of zero dollars as the productivity cost will be absorbed by the employee’s agency.
Kendle Zdunich, UPEA Employee Relations Representative, spoke in favor of the bill. The committee passed SB100 with a favorable recommendation and it was placed on the Senate 2nd Reading Calendar on Jan. 24, 2022.Â
SB100 - PAID LEAVE MODIFICATIONS
1st Substitute Senate Bill 100, Paid Leave Modifications, was presented to the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee on Wednesday, Jan 26. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Weiler, provides employees with three weeks of paid bonding parental leave for either parent upon the birth of the employee’s child, the adoption of a minor child, or the appointment of legal guardianship of a child. This benefit would be in addition to the three weeks of postpartum recovery leave passed in the 2021 Legislative Session for employees that give birth to a child. At this time, a fiscal note has not been attached to the bill, however, the Governor’s budget recommends appropriating $1 million for the benefit.Â
Sam Unruh, UPEA Employee Relations Representative, spoke in favor of the bill. The bill passed through committee with a favorable recommendation and was placed on the Senate 2nd Reading Calendar on Jan. 27, 2022.