§ 21-4-215. Leave for bone marrow or organ donation — Definitions

(a) As used in this section:

1. (1) “Bone marrow donor” means a person from whose body bone marrow is taken to be transferred to the body of another person;

2. (2) “Organ” means a human organ that is capable of being transferred from the body of a person to the body of another person, including eyes;

3. (3) “Organ donor” means a person from whose body an organ is taken to be transferred to the body of another person;

4. (4) “Public school” means any public school or education service cooperative located in the State of Arkansas;

5. (5) “Public school employee” means a full-time employee of a public school or education service cooperative;

6. (6) “State agency” means an agency, bureau, board, or commission of any branch of state government, and all state-supported institutions of higher education; and

7. (7) “State employee” means a full-time employee of the State of Arkansas or any branch, department, board, bureau, commission, or state-supported institution of higher education.

(b) In any calendar year, a state employee or public school employee is entitled to the following leave in order to serve as an organ donor or a bone marrow donor:

1. (1) No more than seven (7) days of leave to serve as a bone marrow donor; and

2. (2) No more than thirty (30) days of leave to serve as an organ donor.

(c) In order to qualify for the leave, the state employee or public school employee must:

1. (1) Request the leave in writing;

2. (2) Provide the employing agency written verification by the physician to perform the transplantation that the employee is to serve as a human organ or bone marrow donor; and

3. (3) Provide the employing agency written verification by the physician performing the transplantation that the employee did serve as a human organ or bone marrow donor.

(d) A state employee or school employee may use the leave as provided in this section without loss or reduction in pay, leave, or credit for time of service.

(e) A state agency or public school shall not penalize an employee for requesting or obtaining leave pursuant to this section.