H 63

BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.63
 2025  Page 1 of 2
1H.63
2 Introduced by Representatives McCann of Montpelier, Boyden of Cambridge,
3Casey of Montpelier, Headrick of Burlington, Logan of
4Burlington, McGill of Bridport, and Priestley of Bradford
5 Referred to Committee on
6 Date:
7 Subject: Labor; employment practices; fair employment practices; legislative
8leave; employee benefits
9 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that an
10 employer continue a legislator’s employment benefits during a legislative leave
11 at the same level and rate of contribution as when the legislator is not on leave.
12    An act relating to fair employment practices and legislative leave
13 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
14 Sec. 1. 21 V.S.A. § 496 is amended to read:
15 § 496. LEGISLATIVE LEAVE
16    (a) Any employee who, in order to serve as a member of the General
17 Assembly, must leave a full-time position in the employ of any employer, shall
18 be entitled to a temporary or partial leave of absence for the purpose of
19 allowing the employee to perform any official duty in connection with the
20 employee’s elected office. The leave of absence shall not cause loss of job
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1 status, seniority, or the right to participate in insurance and other employee
2 benefits during the leave of absence. The employer shall continue employment
3 benefits for the duration of the leave at the level and under the conditions
4 coverage would be provided if the employee continued in employment
5 continuously for the duration of the legislative leave. The employer may
6 require that the employee contribute to the cost of the benefits during the leave
7 at the existing rate of employee contribution. The employee shall continue to
8 accrue seniority for the duration of the leave at the same level as if the
9 employee were employed continuously for the duration of the legislative leave.
10 Further, an employer shall not discharge or in any other matter retaliate against
11 an employee who exercises or attempts to exercise the employee’s rights to
12 serve as an elected official.
13***
14 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
15    This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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