Bill
HB 473
85(R) - 2017
Vote Recommendation
No
-
Neutral
-
Neutral
-
Neutral
-
Negative
-
Neutral
Author(s)
Joe Moody
Bill Caption
Relating to the employment of certain peace officers, detention
officers, county jailers, or firefighters who are injured in the
course and scope of duty.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
This bill would
prohibit employers from discharging, indefinitely suspending, or terminating a
peace officer, firefighter, county jailer, or detention officer for inability
to do their job because of an injury that came from the discharge of their
duty; at least until they have reached maximum medical improvement.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This is an unfunded mandate on the employment practices of local governments and has the potential to harm smaller governments that cannot financially bear the burden this bill would place on them. For example, under this legislation a small municipal police force may be required to maintain on payroll an injured officer unable to discharge his duties but not be able to afford to hire a replacement officer due to budget constraints. This would lead to an understaffed police force until such indeterminate time as the injured officer reaches maximum medical improvement. The state should not place local governments in this position with a one-size-fits-all policy that may not be workable everywhere. For these reasons we oppose HB 473.
Read Bill & Check Bill Status