2026 -- H 7159

========

LC004106

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- ORGAN-DONATION LEAVE

ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Donovan, Ackerman, McEntee, Kislak,
Casimiro, Diaz, Solomon, Slater, and Casey

     Date Introduced: January 16, 2026

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 36 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC OFFICERS AND

EMPLOYEES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 17

ORGAN-DONATION LEAVE ACT

     36-17-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Organ-Donation Leave Act."

     36-17-2. Organ-donation leave.

     (a) Eligibility. A state employee who is currently working and has successfully completed

an initial probationary period during the current employment period and worked at least one

thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) hours during the previous twelve (12) months shall be eligible

for paid leave as provided in this section to donate a kidney, a liver segment, or bone marrow, and

medically recover. An eligible employee may take organ-donation leave no more than once in any

twelve (12) month period.

     (b) Duration. Any organ-donation leave shall begin on the date of donation and end on the

earliest of:

     (1) Sixty (60) calendar days after a kidney or liver segment donation;

     (2) Thirty (30) calendar days after a bone marrow donation;

     (3) The date that absence to recover from the donation is no longer supported by

documentation from the employee's medical provider as medically necessary;

     (4) The date of the employee's seasonal layoff, limited term appointment's expiration,

layoff after position abolishment, or separation from state service; or

     (5) The date the employee returns to work.

     (c) Notice. Before beginning an organ-donation leave, the employee should give as much

notice as practicable of the expected start and end date for the leave. Notice should be provided at

least thirty (30) days before the leave's expected start.

     (d) Pay. An eligible full-time employee on organ-donation leave shall receive base pay

during the leave. An eligible less-than-full-time employee on an organ-donation leave, for each

week during the leave, shall receive base pay for the average number of hours scheduled each week

over the last six (6) pay periods before the leave, distributed equally Monday through Friday. Hours

shall be entered in payroll as administrative leave.

     (e) Holidays. Paid holidays observed during a leave shall be recorded as paid holidays and

do not extend an organ-donation leave.

     (f) Leave and accruals. An employee need not exhaust sick and annual leave before taking

organ-donation leave. An employee shall accrue sick and annual leave during the leave. An eligible

employee shall not use any other paid leave during any organ donation leave. Time on organ-

donation leave shall count toward step increases if an employee is in satisfactory standing.

     (g) Coordination with other benefits. Time on organ-donation leave shall also count toward

any Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and unpaid medical leave entitlements.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC004106

========

LC004106 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- ORGAN-DONATION LEAVE

ACT

***

     This act would provide for paid leave for a state employee who donates an organ. The

duration of the leave is dependent on the type of donation and notice should be provided to the

employer at least thirty (30) days prior to the leave.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC004106

========

LC004106 - Page 3 of 3