Committee reviews bill to require employers to consider flexible work requests

An unnamed presenter introduced Page 7.26 on flexible working arrangements, describing it as "a framework by which people can" request changes to hours, days, job sharing and start/stop times and saying the bill "provides guidance" for employers and employees to negotiate accommodations.

The presenter said the bill would require a meeting between employer and employee before a request can be denied and included employer‑centered exceptions such as "employee morale, consumer demand, inability to reorganize, recruiting" as permissible grounds for denying requests. The presenter argued flexible arrangements could benefit rural communities by allowing people to stay in place rather than relocate to metropolitan areas.

Committee members sought specifics about the bill's standards and enforcement. One lawmaker asked whether the statute would require employers to accept requests or only to hear them; the presenter confirmed the bill contains a "shall consider" provision rather than an unconditional grant requirement. On frequency, the presenter said the bill contemplates entertaining requests "at least twice a year," but acknowledged there is no precise numeric limit on who may request accommodations.

On remedies and oversight, a committee member asked what happens if an employer refuses to meet; the presenter said enforcement was not spelled out in detail and suggested it would likely be a referral to the Department of Labor, calling that area "a little gray area for the committee."

The committee did not hold a vote on Page 7.26 during the hearing. Lawmakers said the measure inserts procedural teeth by creating a required meeting and a consideration standard, but several members also flagged broad denial criteria and unclear enforcement as open issues for drafting and amendment.

The committee moved on to the next bill after the briefing; no formal action was taken on Page 7.26 at this session.