LANSING – State Representative Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland) joined the state House on Tuesday and 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.
"Our United States military men, women and their families continue to make great sacrifices in order for us to have the freedoms that we have here at home," said LeBlanc, Appropriations Subcommittee Chair, State Police and Military and Veterans Affairs. "'Charlie's Bill' shows Michigan's military families that we support them in their time of greatest need, and that we recognize the sacrifices they continue to make to keep us safe."
"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 House 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.
LeBlanc said he was pleased that "Charlie's Bill" garnered bipartisan support. The legislation passed the House by a vote of 105 to 1. The plan now heads to the Senate.
"Michigan's fallen heroes sacrificed their lives to protect us," LeBlanc said. "During this time of upheaval and uncertainty, these families who have lost so much already need to know that their next paycheck is still coming and their jobs are safe."