This bill (H 544) increases the annual paid leave entitlement for Idaho state employees serving in the National Guard or military reserves from 120 to 160 hours. It directly affects state employees who are active military members, ensuring they can take leave for duty without losing pay or job standing. The bill also clarifies that employees with irregular schedules ("uncommon tours of duty") will receive prorated leave based on their regular biweekly hours, aligning with federal guidelines. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.
S 1221 amends Idaho Code Section 59-1302 to revise the definition of "employee" for the state's public retirement system (PERSI). Specifically, it changes the threshold for who qualifies as an employee eligible for retirement benefits, clarifying that individuals working fewer than 20 hours per week are no longer automatically considered employees under the system. This directly affects Idaho public employees whose work hours fall below this threshold, ensuring only those meeting the revised criteria are counted for retirement benefit eligibility. The change aims to align the definition with current employment patterns and streamline administrative processes for the retirement system.
This bill would amend Idaho's civil rights law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, public accommodations, housing, and education. It adds these protections to existing prohibitions against discrimination based on race, sex, disability, and other characteristics covered under Idaho Code sections 67-5901 and 67-5909. The bill defines "gender identity" and updates relevant legal language to include these new protections. It directly affects all Idaho residents and businesses operating within the state, making these forms of discrimination unlawful in specified contexts.
H 557 prevents Idaho cities and counties from creating local anti-discrimination laws that are stricter than state law. It specifically blocks local ordinances covering employment, housing, education, or public accommodations from expanding on state protections. Businesses or property owners can sue local governments that violate this rule, seeking court orders to stop enforcement and recover damages. The bill aims to create statewide consistency in anti-discrimination rules, arguing that varying local laws hinder economic growth and create legal conflicts for businesses. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.
