Sec. 1. 26 MRSA c. 7 is amended by inserting before §850 the following:

SUBCHAPTER VI-B

EMPLOYMENT LEAVE FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE

Sec. 2. 26 MRSA §850, sub-§4 is enacted to read:

4.__Application.__This subchapter applies to all public and private employers, including the State and its political subdivisions.

SUMMARY

Current law provides for employment leave for victims of violence, assault, sexual assault, stalking or any act that would support an order for protection. Due to the placement of the section of law providing for employment leave for victims of violence, the same definitions that apply to family leave also apply to employment leave for victims of violence, thus limiting the application of the section to private employers of 15 or more employees and city, town or municipal agencies of 25 or more employees.

This bill clarifies that the employment leave law for victims of violence applies to all employers by placing the section of law in its own subchapter and providing an application section.