Effective immediately, Illinois has added a new qualifying reason for leave under the state’s Family Military Leave Act, now simply called the “Military Leave Act.”
In addition to leave for military spouses, an employee may now use up to eight hours of paid leave per calendar month to participate in a funeral honors detail, up to a total of 40 hours per calendar year, or more if authorized by his or her employer or if provided for in a collective bargaining agreement.
“Funeral honors detail” means an honor guard detail provided for the funeral of any veteran in compliance with 10 U.S.C. 1491 and any associated federal regulations. A “funeral honors detail” consists of at least two members of the U.S. Armed Forces, one of whom is from the deceased veteran’s service branch, with the remainder of the detail consisting of members of the armed forces, whether retired or not, or members of an authorized provider. The funeral honors detail performs at the funeral a ceremony that includes the folding of a United States flag and presentation of the flag to the veteran’s family and the playing of “Taps.”
An employee qualifies for leave if the employee:
- is trained to participate in a funeral honors detail at the funeral of a veteran; and
- is either:
- a retired or active member of the armed forces of the United States or a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Illinois National Guard; or
- an authorized provider, or a registered member of a nonprofit or other organization that is an authorized provider, including a member of a veterans service organization.
The leave requirements apply to employers employing 51 or more employees.
Access the enacted bill here.