BILL NUMBER: S8529

SPONSOR: GOUNARDES
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend chapter 77 of the laws of 2021, amending the civil
service law and the labor law relating to leave time for COVID-19 vacci-
nation, in relation to extending the effectiveness thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL

To extend provisions of law granting public employees four hours of
excused leave to receive the coronavirus vaccine until December 31,
2023.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS

Section one of this bill extends the expiration date of chapter 77 of
the laws of 2021 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023.

Section two provides the effective date.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION

Many public employees are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccina-
tion. It is vital that these essential civil servants, which include
healthcare workers, emergency medical service personnel, staff in
congregate care facilities, police officers, firefighters, corrections
officers, teachers, and more, receive the vaccine in as expeditious a
manner as possible in order to continue serving on the frontlines of
this pandemic at decreased risk to themselves and their families. It is
likewise vital that the public workforce working at all levels and posi-
tions of the civil service of the state receive the vaccine in order to
keep the state open and running as effectively as possible as the
pandemic continues.

This legislation would extend current provisions of law granting public
employees time off to receive the vaccine without having to exhaust
their other piles of leave. Ensuring current and future public employees
will not hesitate to receive the COVID-19 vaccination is necessary to
take the state of New York one step closer to overcoming the pandemic.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

Chapter 77 of the laws of 2021.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE
Immediate