Bill: HB 339, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

House Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Neutral Neutral Negative Negative Neutral

Author(s)

Joe Farias

Bill Caption

Relating to leave for certain veterans returning to state employment.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 339 amends Sec. 661.923 of the Government Code to allow those who are "a member of the state military forces of this state or any other state because the employee is ordered to authorized training or duty by a proper authority." to be able to obtain up to 15 days each fiscal year to tend to matters that relate to reintegration into civilian life. Some of these matters include, but are not limited to; obtaining medial or mental health care and receiving employee assistance counseling. This bill prevents the state agency that employs the member of the military from deducting salary or vacation time, as well as sick leave or earned overtime, including state compensatory time. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill is very vague. As it reads, this legislation does not explain what authority grants or approves the additional time off, nor does it state that the time off is exclusive to receiving medical or mental health treatment. While it is essential that we make sure we allow our veterans to get the time they need to reintegrate, we also need to ensure that the state government is being held accountable that our veterans are using this time to get the help they seek. We do not support this legislation. Furthermore there is no stipulation in this legislation requiring the individual concerned to have a diagnosis that confirms the necessity of taking leave.

Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 12:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/hb339?print_view=true