HB1290 (2024) Compare Changes


The Bill Text indicates a new section is being inserted. This situation is not handled right now, and the new text is displayed in both the changed and unchanged versions.

Unchanged Version

Text to be removed highlighted in red.

1 New Sections; Employment Protections for Members of the General Court. Amend RSA 275 by inserting after section 75 the following new sections:

275:75-a Right to Leave Work.

I An employer shall permit an employee who is a member of the general court to leave work so that the employee may attend 168 hours of general court voting each calendar year whether the employee has accrued paid time off or not.

II. Before an employee may leave work under this subdivision, the employee shall provide the employer with a copy of the notice of each general court session day they will be attending.

III. An employer shall not discharge an employee who is a member of the general court because the employee attends a noticed, disclosed session of the general court.

IV. An employer may require a member of the general court to use the employee's accrued vacation time, personal leave time, or paid time off, because the employee attends a noticed, disclosed, voting session of the general court. If the employee does not have accrued paid time off their absence to attend general court voting shall be granted as unpaid time off.

275:75-b Penalty. Any employer who violates this subdivision shall be subject to a civil penalty, to be imposed by the labor commissioner in accordance with the procedures established in RSA 273:11-a. An employer aggrieved by the commissioner's assessment of such penalty may appeal in accordance with RSA 273:11-c.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Changed Version

Text to be added highlighted in green.

1 New Sections; Employment Protections for Members of the General Court. Amend RSA 275 by inserting after section 75 the following new sections:

275:75-a Right to Leave Work.

I An employer shall permit an employee who is a member of the general court to leave work so that the employee may attend 168 hours of general court voting each calendar year whether the employee has accrued paid time off or not.

II. Before an employee may leave work under this subdivision, the employee shall provide the employer with a copy of the notice of each general court session day they will be attending.

III. An employer shall not discharge an employee who is a member of the general court because the employee attends a noticed, disclosed session of the general court.

IV. An employer may require a member of the general court to use the employee's accrued vacation time, personal leave time, or paid time off, because the employee attends a noticed, disclosed, voting session of the general court. If the employee does not have accrued paid time off their absence to attend general court voting shall be granted as unpaid time off.

275:75-b Penalty. Any employer who violates this subdivision shall be subject to a civil penalty, to be imposed by the labor commissioner in accordance with the procedures established in RSA 273:11-a. An employer aggrieved by the commissioner's assessment of such penalty may appeal in accordance with RSA 273:11-c.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.