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HB 1616

ORGAN DONOR LEAVE-PART-TIME

104th Regular Session Introduced by Jaime Andrade and 30 co-sponsors

Illinois expands paid organ donor leave to part-time employees, matching full-time protections to encourage donation without financial penalty beginning January 2026.

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0193
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Bill Summary · HB 1616

Legislative bill overview

HB 1616 extends organ donor leave protections to part-time employees in Illinois. Previously, only full-time employees were guaranteed paid leave to undergo organ donation procedures. This bill expands eligibility to part-time workers, ensuring they receive the same leave protections when donating organs.

Why is this important

Organ donation saves lives, but the procedure requires recovery time that can create financial hardship for part-time workers without job protection. By guaranteeing leave for part-time donors, the bill removes a significant barrier to donation, potentially increasing the organ supply for transplant patients while protecting workers from income loss or job loss.

Potential points of contention

  • Employer burden: Small businesses with many part-time employees may face scheduling challenges and increased labor costs from covering donated leave
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill may lack clarity on what qualifies as "part-time" status or how leave duration is determined for workers with variable hours
  • Competitive disadvantage: Illinois employers could face higher compliance costs than out-of-state competitors, potentially affecting hiring decisions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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