Committee adds amendment to expand sick-leave donation eligibility, caps donations at 36 days

The Education Policy Committee on Monday added an amendment to Senate Bill 211 that broadens which schools and employers may participate in sick-leave donation and places a 36-day cap on individual donations.

Senator Allen told the committee the bill grew out of a family situation in which ‘‘it was just almost impossible to transfer sick leave days to their younger sister,’’ an experience he said exposed shortcomings in existing transfer rules for school employees. Representative Pmore read the amendment into the record and said it updates references to include specialty and signature schools and clarifies administrative responsibilities.

The amendment text, as read aloud, includes the provision, "No employee shall donate more than 36 leave days," and replaces multiple line items to ensure newer schools are covered and that donors are not required to be repaid, according to the amendment language presented to the panel.

Members sought clarification about whether the amendment folded the community college system into K–12 sick-leave transfer rules. Representative Baker and others noted possible complications transferring leave across systems. Committee members and staff said the intent was to include signature and specialty K–12 schools and related governing bodies while keeping community-college employees subject to separate policies because of differing retirement and employment systems.

After discussion the committee approved adding the amendment by voice vote and then gave SB 211 a favorable report as amended.

What happens next: The bill, as amended, will move to the legislative floor for further consideration and any additional debate or amendments there.