LANSING – State Representatives Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) and Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) today announced that the House passed a plan to protect the families of Michigan servicemembers killed while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Charlie's Bill" requires employers to provide a brief period of paid bereavement leave for a spouse, parent or child of a servicemember killed on active duty.
"This plan provides important support to military families, who make incredible sacrifices for our freedom," Ebli said. "Being patriotic requires taking real action. 'Charlie's Bill' shows that the residents of Michigan are behind our servicemen and women, and that we are here to support military families during these trying times."
"Charlie's Bill" is named in honor of U.S. Army Sgt. Charles "Charlie" Drier of Tuscola County, who was killed during combat in Iraq in May 2005. He was 28.
The plan requires employers to grant paid bereavement leave of up to 10 days or 80 hours. It also prohibits an employer from firing or punishing any employee who requests or takes the leave.
"It's important that we stand by our military families in their time of greatest need," Angerer said. "Military families often do not even know when the remains of loved ones will be returned. There are times when families must wait a week or more to make funeral arrangements. During this time of uncertainty and emotional upheaval, these families need to know that their jobs are safe."
The legislation passed the House by a vote of 105 to 1; it now heads to the Senate.