CALIFORNIA LAW CLARIFIES PAID LEAVE RULES FOR ORGAN & BONE MARROW DONATION

Gov. Jerry Brown (D) Aug. 3 signed a bill (S.B. 272) to clarify a one-year-old law that allows employees to take paid leave to donate an organ or bone marrow. Sponsored by Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (D), the bill was supported by the California Chamber of Commerce to clarify employer requirements created when S.B. 1304 was signed into law in 2010, giving protected leave to employees who donate organs or bone marrow.

The new law clarifies that the 30 days of paid leave for donations are business days, not calendar days, and that the one-year period referenced in the law is 12 consecutive months, not a calendar year. It also states that employers must provide health insurance at the same level while employees are on the leave.

According to the chamber, the new law gives employers the certainty they need to comply with the law. “These clarifications will make it easier for workers to take this kind of leave and will make it easier for employers to comply with the law,” DeSaulnier said Aug. 3 in a statement. “The last thing somebody should be worried about is taking time off of work to donate life-saving organs or bone marrow.” The California Nurses Association also supported the bill. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2012. 08-11-2011. Bureau of National Affairs.