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Bill

H 5087

Paid leave for disaster volunteers

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Smith

South Carolina requires employers to grant employees paid leave for disaster relief volunteering without employment penalties or wage loss.

Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 5087

Legislative bill overview

H 5087 requires employers in South Carolina to provide paid leave to employees who volunteer for disaster relief and recovery efforts. The bill establishes protections for workers who need time off to assist in federally declared or state-declared disasters without losing pay or facing employment consequences.

Why is this important

Disaster volunteer work is critical infrastructure during emergencies, yet workers often face financial penalties for participating. This bill removes a significant barrier to volunteerism by ensuring employees don't sacrifice income when responding to community crises, potentially increasing disaster response capacity when it's most needed.

Potential points of contention

  • Business cost burden: Employers must pay wages during unpredictable disaster events, creating budgetary uncertainty, particularly for small businesses with limited payroll flexibility
  • Definition scope: The bill's criteria for qualifying disasters (what constitutes federal or state declaration) could be interpreted broadly, potentially covering minor events or disputes over coverage
  • Abuse prevention: Lack of clear restrictions on frequency, duration, or documentation requirements could enable misuse without safeguards protecting both employers and legitimate volunteers
  • Competitive disadvantage: South Carolina-only requirements could disadvantage state businesses compared to out-of-state competitors without similar obligations

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

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