1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to paid leave for a state employee who is an emergency
 1-3     medical services volunteer.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 661.905, Government Code, is amended to
 1-6     read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 661.905.  VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL
 1-8     SERVICES VOLUNTEERS.  (a)  In this section, "emergency medical
 1-9     services volunteer" has the meaning assigned by Section 773.003,
1-10     Health and Safety Code.
1-11           (b)  A state employee who is a volunteer firefighter or an
1-12     emergency medical services volunteer is entitled to a leave of
1-13     absence without a deduction in salary to attend fire service or
1-14     emergency medical services training conducted by a state agency or
1-15     institution of higher education.  Leave without a deduction in
1-16     salary under this subsection may not exceed five working days in a
1-17     fiscal year.
1-18           (c) [(b)]  A state agency or institution of higher education
1-19     may grant leave without a deduction in salary to a volunteer
1-20     firefighter or an emergency medical services volunteer for the
1-21     purpose of allowing the firefighter or emergency medical services
1-22     volunteer to respond to emergency fire or medical situations if the
1-23     agency or institution has an established policy for granting that
1-24     leave.
1-25           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 188 passed the Senate on
         March 1, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0, one
         present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 188 passed the House on
         May 11, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                      Date
         _______________________________
                    Governor