BILL NUMBER:  S6831

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the labor law, in relation to job protection for
emergency service volunteers

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

To prohibit an employer from terminating an employee who is also a
volunteer firefighter or a volunteer provider of emergency medical
services when that employee misses or is late to work because of an
emergency to which the employee was dispatched.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section 1. The labor law is amended by adding a new section 202-n.
Authorized absence.

Section 2 is the effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Emergencies most often require immediate action on the part of local
emergency workers, who at times risk their own lives to protect their
neighbors, and communities throughout the state need these emergency
              

workers to prevent loss of life or property. Many of these courageous
men and women are volunteers. Volunteer EMTs, paramedics and
firefighters assist in providing immediate medical attention in
emergencies, which include automobile accidents, heart attacks,
drowning, childbirth, gunshot wounds and fire emergencies. We need to
protect these volunteers while they are protecting us. Numerous New
York communities depend on volunteers, who may be late or miss work
because they assisted at the scene of an emergency. This legislation
balances the needs of the community at large with those of local
businesses. Furthermore, in these times of continued emphasis on
emergency preparedness and response, this legislation will make sure
that emergency workers are not forced to decide whether they should
respond to an emergency or risk losing the paying job that supports
their family. Volunteer firefighters and EMS volunteers are an
important part of emergency services, but employment pressures can
often make it difficult to recruit and retain them.  Steps like this
that help them protect their financial livelihood while serving their
communities should encourage more volunteers to stay on, and benefit
everyone in the community. Many departments will be better able to
bring on new volunteers and keep the ones they have because the
volunteers don't have to be afraid of being disciplined or fired for
being late or missing work for helping at an emergency scene.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

None.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.