LANSING – State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) on Tuesday voted for 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.
"Our military families make incredible sacrifices for our country and its freedom," Valentine said. "This plan provides important support to those military families in their greatest time of need. 'Charlie's Bill' shows that Michigan is behind our men and women in uniform and that we will support their families in 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.
The legislation passed the House by a vote of 105 to 1 and now heads to the Senate.
"Often times, our military families aren't sure when their loved one's remains will be returned, which can delay funeral planning," Valentine said. "This plan tells those families that during their time of grief, their paycheck will still come and their jobs are safe. I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to act quickly on this important piece of legislation."