Idaho Bills

Adds to existing law to specify that employers or companies contracting with the State of Idaho shall not engage in discrimination against unvaccinated persons.

Adds to existing law to provide certain requirements regarding use of earned paid sick leave.

This legislation adds section 44-906 to Chapter 9, Title 44, Idaho Code. Legislation prohibits an employer that chooses to offer its employees the opportunity to earn paid sick leave from counting use of that earned paid sick leave, when taken in accordance with the employer's written sick leave policy, as an absence subject to discipline, discharge, demotion, suspension, or any other adverse action.

Adds to existing law to establish an Idaho apprenticeship skills program.

Idaho has taken several steps in recent years to encourage the use of apprenticeships as part of workforce development efforts. There is broad recognition that high-quality apprenticeship training provides the sort of on-the-job, real-world skill development not easily found in a traditional classroom setting, and can be a meaningful way to help Idahoans transition from to an educational setting or short-term job to a long-term career. This legislation seeks to expand on those efforts by making it easier for Idahoans to meet licensure requirements through approved, on-the-job apprenticeships. It provides a path to licensure for an applicant who completes an apprenticeship, passes any required examination and pays any required fees. This bill is similar to what has been done for barbers and cosmetologists in the last couple of years and expands it to other licensed occupations. Apprenticeships are defined as programs where skills are learned in a practical, structured, systematic program of on-the-job supervised learning. Apprenticeships are based on skills recognized by industry and help participants develop those skills to the industry standard through on-the-job learning and supplemental instruction. The bill requires that licensing boards treat candidates for licensure the same, whether they take a traditional route or seek licensure through apprenticeship. Specifically, boards cannot impose more stringent exam requirements or fees. Finally, the bill requires relevant state agencies to work together to expand the availability of apprenticeship training in the state.

Amends existing law to provide for mediation, to provide a process for factfinder selection, and to provide that strikes shall be prohibited during dispute resolution and for two weeks thereafter.

This legislation amends Idaho Code §§ 44-1806 and 44-1807 pertaining to firefighter collective bargaining. Under existing law, if an impasse between the representative(s) of the employer and the firefighters is reached, the parties will use Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) as mediators to try and resolve the issue(s). If the issue(s) is/are not resolved through mediation, the proposed amendments affect how fact-finders are selected; institutes a process for how a final contract is produced using previously negotiated articles in conjunctionwiththefact-finder'srecommendations; andmakesthefact-finder'sdecisionfinalandbindingupon both parties, rather than merely advisory. A two-week period will be available for both sides to come together and resolve the issue before the fact-finding decision becomes binding.