Brief Description: Requiring state agencies to allow volunteer firefighters to respond when called to duty.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Sheldon, Kastama, Clements, Rasmussen and Shin).

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections
House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs

Background: The Director of the Department of Personnel determines when a state employee must be granted leave with pay, and when the employer has discretion whether or not to grant leave with pay. Employers have discretion over whether to grant leave with pay to state employees volunteering in firefighting and search and rescue efforts, and donating blood.

Private sector employers may not discharge or discipline a volunteer firefighter or reserve officer who has taken leave to respond to an alarm of fire or an emergency call.

Summary: An agency must allow an employee who is a volunteer firefighter to respond to a fire, natural disaster, or medical emergency when called to duty. The agency may choose whether to grant the leave with pay or without pay.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      47   0
House      95   0

Effective:   July 22, 2007