HB1600

House Bill 1600 amends existing Arkansas statutes concerning the employment benefits of full-time municipal law enforcement officers, including city marshals. The bill clarifies and standardizes the requirements for holiday compensation, ensuring that such pay is based on the officer's daily rate and can be included in base pay or paid in a lump sum. It updates language regarding annual vacation leave, including provisions for payment of unused accumulated leave upon retirement or termination. Furthermore, the bill updates statutes regarding sick leave, specifying that unused leave shall accumulate up to 60 days unless a municipality adopts an ordinance to allow for a greater amount. It also provides for payment of unused sick leave upon retirement or death, capped at 60 days unless the municipality authorizes up to 90 days. Finally, it permits municipalities to adopt catastrophic leave programs and defines a 'presumptive illness list' for municipal police departments.