The bill amends section 54-06-14.7 of the North Dakota Century Code to establish a state leave sharing program for permanent state employees. This program allows employees to donate their accrued annual and sick leave to colleagues who are facing severe, extreme, or life-threatening conditions, or who are caring for an immediate relative or household member in similar circumstances. The bill specifies that temporary or contracted employees with limited-term appointments are not eligible to participate in this program. Additionally, it sets a limit on the use of donated leave to four months within any twelve-month period and stipulates that employees cannot retain leave beyond the occurrence that necessitated the leave.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the human resource management services division, which include requiring medical certification from qualified healthcare providers to verify the medical condition and its expected duration. Furthermore, the division is tasked with tracking the amount of leave taken under the program and adopting necessary rules for implementation. Notably, the bill removes the requirement for the medical condition to be described as "severe, extreme, or" life-threatening, streamlining the criteria for eligibility. The bill includes a retroactive application note, indicating that the changes may apply to past situations as well.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 54-06-14.7
Adopted by the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee: 54-06-14.7
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 54-06-14.7