April 27, 2004

REP. RYAN SPONSORED BILL EXPANDING UNPAID LEAVE
FOR ORGAN DONORS GAINS HOUSE APPROVAL

A bill sponsored by State Representative Kevin Ryan that expands the family and medical leave acts for both state and private sector employees to donate an organ or bone marrow has gained passage in the House. The bill goes next to the state Senate.

Under current law state and private sector employees can take unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child or for the serious illness of an employee’s child, spouse, parent or the employee himself or herself.

The Ryan bill amends the law to make an employee donating an organ or bone marrow eligible for leave.

"This is an important expansion of the law because organ donations have become more difficult to get and whatever we can do to help and encourage organ donations is a positive step," Rep. Ryan said. "This is a life-saving measure and recognizes the contribution made by organ donors."

The Federal and Medical Leave Acts (FMLA) applies to private sector employers with 50 or more employees and the state employee FMLA is part of state personnel provisions.

The bill requires that any employee seeking leave to donate an organ or bond marrow must provide written certification from a physician of the proposed donation and the probable length of recovery.

Rep. Ryan is House Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee.