BILL NUMBER: S4719

SPONSOR: BROOKS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the civil service law, in relation to paid leave for
members of the civil air patrol

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to provide paid leave for members of the
civil air patrol.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. amends the civil service law by adding a new section 82-c to
provide Civil air patrol volunteers; paid leave. Not- withstanding any
other provisions of law to the contrary. Public officers and employees
of the state who are members of the United States Air Force Auxiliary
Civil Air Patrol or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Pilots shall
be granted leave from work with pay to participate in training, drills,
              

or emergency services upon a written request from a unit commander and
the approval of the chief administrative officer of the state agency,
department or bureau for which the public officer or employee serves.
The public officer or employee shall be compensated at his or her regu-
lar rate of pay for those regular work hours during which the public
officer or employee is absent from work while participating in author-
ized training, drills, or emergency services missions. Such leave shall
be provided without loss of seniority, compensation. sick leave, vaca-
tion leave or other overtime compensation to which the volunteer is
otherwise entitled and shall not exceed twenty days in any calendar
year.

Section 2. is the enacting clause.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Civil Air Patrol has a long history of volunteers donating their
time for the protection of our communities and civilians in time of
emergency. In the early years, their mission was focused on the defense
of our homeland against possible surprise attack by a foreign enemy.
Their mission has evolved into lifesaving operations in times of natural
disaster or more specifically in the case of downed and missing
aircraft. The Civil Air Patrol provides valuable assistance to law
enforcement and emergency personnel in search and rescue missions. The
disappearance of Stephen Fawcett, noted balloonist and aviator, when his
aircraft failed to return to his home airport spawned a massive search
and rescue mission. The Civil Air Patrol was a major part of that
effort. Volunteers logged thousands of hours in cooperation with local
law enforcement searching for Fawcett utilizing aircraft predominantly
owned and maintained by the Civil Air Patrol.

The Civil Air Patrol volunteers spend many hours training for search and
rescue missions as well as introducing young people to the rewards of
volunteering, training in search and rescue strategy and learning about
aircraft operation including Multi training. Youth volunteers are
trained in military discipline in preparation for careers potential
military in the United States Air force. As a result, the Civil Air
Patrol is recognized by our military as an excellent training base
before enlistment. Adult volunteers spend many hours to keep themselves
current in rescue techniques, flying skills, and youth development
programs. Their skills are just as important as other local emergency
response teams as they often are working side by side. Civil Air Patrol
volunteers should have the same rights under Civil Service Law as other
emergency service volunteers in regard to paid leave from work to
participate in training, drills or emergency services. Civil Air Patrol
volunteers should not be penalized for having to attend mandatory train-
ing, drills or emergency service upon request of a commander of authori-
ty.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately