MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Fees, Salaries and Administration; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Thames

AN ACT TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE LEAVE TO ALL ELIGIBLE STATE EMPLOYEES TO ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEERISM IN SUPPORT OF MISSISSIPPI'S SCHOOLS, COMMUNITIES, CITIZENS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH COMMUNITY SERVICE LEAVE MAY BE USED; TO REQUIRE THAT THE STATE PERSONNEL BOARD SHALL DEVELOP APPROPRIATE POLICIES, RULES, PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND REPORTING OF COMMUNITY SERVICE LEAVE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi recognizes the diverse and distinct needs of its schools, communities and citizens; and

WHEREAS, the employees of state government represent an important and significant source of volunteers who offer their talents and energies to the state's schools, communities and citizens and who support the work of public and private nonprofit organizations; and

WHEREAS, the employees of state government are committed to and often engaged in supporting the state's schools, communities, citizens and nonprofit organizations by volunteering time and effort but are often unable to meet those needs during regularly scheduled work hours; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) In recognition of the state's diverse needs for volunteers to support schools, communities, citizens and nonprofit organizations, and recognizing the commitment of state employees to engage in volunteer service to the state, the State Personnel Board shall establish a program for awarding community service leave to state employees.

(2) Community service leave shall be available to all eligible state employees to encourage volunteerism in support of Mississippi's schools, communities, citizens and non-profit organizations. Leave awarded under any of these provisions is considered community service leave and shall be accounted for under the provisions of a community service leave policy to be promulgated by the State Personnel Board.

(2) State employees shall be awarded twenty-four (24) hours of community service leave annually which may be used for volunteer participation in the programs, services and organizations indicated herein, or they may elect to receive an award equivalent to one (1) hour for each week that a public school is in session. The latter award shall be used exclusively for mentoring or tutoring students in Mississippi schools. State employees may use all or part of their annual allotment of community service leave for the following:

(a) Leave for Child Involvement and School Volunteerism. Employees may use all or part of their annual allotment of community service leave to volunteerism in support of programs and services in public and private elementary, middle and high schools, and licensed public and private day care and preschool settings. A parent may use this leave to meet with a teacher or administrator concerning the parent's child or may attend any educational function sponsored by the school in which the child is participating.

(b) Leave for Nonprofit Organization Volunteerism. Employees may use all or part of their annual allotment of community service leave to volunteer time in nonprofit, nonpartisan community organizations which are designated as 501(c)(3) agencies under the Internal Revenue Code, or human services organizations licensed or accredited to serve citizens with special needs, including children, youth and the elderly.

(c) Leave for Tutoring and Mentoring in Mississippi Schools.

In lieu of the 24-hour award, employees may elect to receive one (1) hour of volunteer leave for each week that public schools are in session as documented by a local board of education. This leave award shall be used exclusively for tutoring or mentoring a student in accordance with established standards, rules and guidelines for such arrangements as determined and documented by joint agreement with the employee's agency and the school.

(3) The State Personnel Board shall develop appropriate policies, rules, procedures and criteria for the administration and reporting of community service leave.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.