2019 -- H 5176

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LC000880

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES' -- "THE FEDERAL

FURLOUGHED EMPLOYEES PROTECTION ACT"

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Amore, Tobon, Blazejewski, Alzate, and Casimiro

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2019

     Referred To: House Special Legislation

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 36 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC OFFICERS AND

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EMPLOYEES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 17

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THE FEDERAL FURLOUGHED EMPLOYEES' PROTECTION ACT

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     36-17-1. Short title.

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     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Federal Furloughed Employees'

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Protection Act."

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     36-17-2. Application.

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     During periods when the federal government ceases the operation of government

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functions, in whole or in part, as a result of the United States Congress failing to pass adequate

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appropriations bills or continuing resolutions to fund federal government operations and agencies

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or as a result of the President of the United States failing to sign into law an appropriations bill or

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resolution, the state residents employed by the federal government, during periods when the

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federal government ceases operation, not receiving their usual and customary employment pay,

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shall be afforded all protections and rights provided in this chapter.

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     36-17-3. Furloughed employees' protection.

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     All furloughed federal employees as provided in ยง 36-17-2 shall be entitled to the rights,

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protections, privileges and immunities specified to include, but not limited to:

 

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     (1) Suspension of the obligation to make payments under credit contract to include credit

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card accounts;

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     (2) Suspension of the obligation to make payments on a lease for an apartment or

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residence which constitutes the primary residence of the furloughed employee;

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     (3) Suspension of any obligation to make payments on residential loans for the

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furloughed employee's primary residence;

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     (4) Suspension of the obligation to make payments under installment contracts including,

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but not limited to, motor vehicles and insurance premiums;

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     (5) A stay or postponement of all civil proceedings in district or superior court.

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     36-17-4. Municipal tax relief.

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     During periods when the federal government ceases the operation of governmental

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functions, in whole or in part, the city or town council may, by ordinance, provide relief from the

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payment of any tax due or payable to the city or town previously or hereafter assessed upon real

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estate or tangible property, to any resident of this state employed by the federal government.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES' -- "THE FEDERAL

FURLOUGHED EMPLOYEES PROTECTION ACT"

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     This act would provide protections to residents of this state furloughed by the federal

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government relating to civil proceedings, credit card transactions, payments relating to

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mortgages, leases and installment contracts.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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