This bill establishes protections for employees during a declared state of emergency by prohibiting employers from taking adverse employment actions against employees who are unable to work due to such emergencies. Specifically, it prevents employers from discharging employees or altering their compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment if they are not actively working because of a state of emergency. Additionally, employers cannot require employees to use sick, personal, or other leave for absences related to the emergency. The bill clarifies that it does not mandate employers to provide wages to employees who are not actively working.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of employees during a state of emergency, requiring them to notify their employer of their absence and to return to work as soon as it is safe to do so. Violations of this act by employers can result in civil penalties, with fines of up to $5,000 for the first violation and $10,000 for subsequent violations. Furthermore, the bill includes specific definitions for terms such as "employee," "employer," "public safety agency," and "state of emergency," while excluding certain categories of workers, such as medical personnel and public safety agencies, from its provisions.