HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2021-10 Approving the Public Safety Quarantine Leave Policy•
City of West University Place
Harris County, Texas
Resolution No. 2021-10
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE
APPROVING THE PUBLIC SAFETY QUARANTINE LEAVE POLICY; AND CONTAINING
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.
WHEREAS, House Bill 2073 (2021 Regular Session) added Section 180.008 to the Local
Government Code and requires that the City of West University Place ("City") develop a policy to
provide paid quarantine leave for fire fighters, peace officers, and emergency medical technicians
employed by the City; and
WHEREAS, the policy will provide paid leave to eligible employees to quarantine or isolate
due to a possible or known exposure to a communicable disease while on duty; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed and desires to approve the recommended
Public Safety Quarantine Leave Policy;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
UNIVERSITY PLACE:
Section 1. The Public Safety Quarantine Leave Policy attached hereto as Exhibit A is
approved.
Section 2. The Public Safety Quarantine Leave Policy shall be effective upon approval
and adoption.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED on the 26th day of Jam, 2021.
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Thelma A. Gilliam, City Secretary
Recommend d:
Dave Beach, City Manager
Signed:
Susan Sample, Mayor f
Reviewl:
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Scott Bounds, Attorney, Olson & Olson
Public Safety Quarantine Leave Policy
(Effective 7/27/21)
(Policy may be amended due to further statutory/legal guidance or other practical reasons)
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to implement regulations adopted by House Bill 2073 in 2021, which amended
Chapter 180, Section 2 of the Local Government Code regarding paid quarantine leave for Fire Fighters,
Peace Officers, and Emergency Medical Technicians. The quarantine leave will be used to quarantine or
isolate Fire Fighters and Peace Officers due to a possible or known exposure to a communicable disease
while on duty. The City of West University Place recognizes the importance of keeping all employees safe
around potential hazards, including communicable diseases.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This policy is effective upon approval by Council.
SCOPE
This policy applies to all Fire Fighters, Peace Officers, and Emergency Medical Technicians employed by
the City of West University Place.
DEFINITIONS
"Eligible employee" means an emergency medical technician, fire fighter, or peace officer. The Human
Resources office shall be responsible for a list of eligible employees for quarantine leave provided by the
policy.
"Health authority" means Harris County Public Health Department
"Supervisor" means a Captain or Chief of the Fire or Police Departments.
POLICY
The City shall follow the guidance of the City's Health Authority for communicable diseases, including
when the presence of communicable diseases poses a risk to health and safety. The Health authority may
issue guidance on quarantine or isolation protocols for specific communicable diseases that the City will
follow. The use of quarantine leave may be granted to an eligible employee who has had a possible or
known exposure to a communicable disease while on duty. A Supervisor may order quarantine when
following the protocols established by the Health Authority. For other situations, the Health Authority
must specifically order the eligible employee to be quarantined. The Human Resources Director may
require proof of an order to quarantine under this policy.
Release from quarantine will be based on the guidance provided by the Health Authority. Employees are
expected to return to their normal duties upon release and communicate any change in states (ie. ongoing
symptoms of Covid19) with their Supervisor.
Eligible employees on quarantine leave shall continue to be eligible for all employment benefits and
compensation, including continuing leave accrual, pension benefits, and health benefit plan benefits for
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the duration of the leave. While on quarantine leave, the employee will not be required to use any other
paid leave, including sick leave, vacation, and personal days.
Eligible employees who are ordered to quarantine may be eligible for reimbursement for reasonable costs
related to the quarantine, including lodging, medical, and transportation. Employees must provide
accurate and timely receipts for reimbursement to the Human Resources Department within five (5) days
of their release to return to work. The City may deny reimbursement for expenses that are unreasonable
or unrelated to quarantine leave.
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