Bill
H 2621
Overview: H 2621, "An Act relative to 'Critical Incident Leave'", was reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling. The bi
Overview: H 2621, "An Act relative to 'Critical Incident Leave'", was reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2025.
Purpose and Intent: The main goal of this bill is to provide critical incident leave for certain public safety employees who experience traumatic events in the line of duty. The legislation aims to support the mental health and well-being of these workers by ensuring they have access to necessary time off and resources.
Key Provisions:
- Establishes a new category of "critical incident leave" for police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians
- Allows these employees to take up to 3 days of paid leave following a critical incident, such as an officer-involved shooting or responding to a mass casualty event
- Requires employers to provide access to mental health counseling and support services during the leave period
- Prohibits retaliation against employees for using critical incident leave
Affected Parties and Impacts: The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be public safety personnel, including police, firefighters, and EMTs, who would gain access to critical incident leave and mental health resources following traumatic events. Employers in the public safety sector would be required to provide this new leave benefit.
Procedural and Timeline Considerations: The bill has been reported favorably by committee and now awaits further consideration by the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling. If passed by the legislature, the new critical incident leave program would take effect on January 1, 2026.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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