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Colorado passes legislation to provide paid leave for living organ donors
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On May 11, the Colorado legislature passed HB1202, the Colorado Living Donor Support Act, which requires employers to offer paid leave for workers who would like to become a living organ donor. The legislation was signed by Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper on May 16 and goes into effect August 8.
“We take care of each other in Colorado,” Rep. Alec Garnett, D-Denver, who was the original sponsor of the bill, said in a statement. “No one who donates an organ to help save another’s life should face a financial or professional setback. This bill will promote life-saving donations and provide incentives for companies to help employees who are willing to donate.”
The law allows companies to claim a tax credit of 35% of an employee’s salary to cover up to 10 business days of paid leave. An employer cannot claim a tax credit related to a leave of absence period for an employee who earns $80,000 or more during an income tax year. The tax credit is not refundable, but unused credits can carry forward for up to 5 years.
According to the legislation, nearly 2,400 Colorado residents are on the waiting list for organ transplants and 96% of those could receive an organ from a living donor.
References: leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2018A/bills/2018a_1202_rer.pdf
www.cohousedems.com/2018/05/garnetts-living-donor-support-act-signed-by-governor