Brief Description: Paying compensation to school district employees for unused sick leave.

Sponsors: Representatives Sump, Cox, Mielke and Benson.

Hearing Date: 2/13/03

Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).

Background:

School district boards are authorized to establish employee attendance incentive programs, including remuneration, or buy back, of unused sick leave. Current sick leave buy back law provides remuneration options for eligible employees during employment and at the time of retirement.

Buy back at the time of retirement provides for one day's compensation for four days accrued sick leave, payable by the district in which the employee retires. No distinction currently is made between the district of accrual and the district of buy back.

Summary of Bill:

If an employee separates from district employment for any reason, the employee is entitled to either: (a) one day's compensation for four days accrued sick leave limited to leave earned while employed in the district; or (b) the amount in the current collective bargaining agreement, whichever is less.

Upon reemployment, the employee may buy the unused sick leave days from the new district for the same amount received at separation, subject to the collective bargaining agreement.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/22/03.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.