14-03-2025
Arkansas bill proposes unpaid Veterans Day leave for veterans
ARKANSAS (KTAL/KMSS)—An Arkansas Bill was introduced on Thursday that proposes employers provide unpaid leave on Veterans Day to Veteran employees.
Representative Joy Springer sponsored House Bill 1792, which would apply to former members of the United States Armed Forces; former or current members of the Arkansas Reserve, or the Arkansas National Guard unit.
Veterans Day is a federal holiday observed annually on November 11. It honors the brave people who have served in the military.
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A private employer without paid leave for Veterans Day must allow veterans to take the day off as unpaid leave, if the employee provides their employer with:
Written notice, submitted at least one month in advance of the date, with their intent to have the day as unpaid leave and;
proof of veterans status, 'without limitation a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, generally referred to as a 'DD Form 214', or other comparable certificate of discharge from the United States Armed Forces.'
The employer shall not reject the request of an employee who is also a veteran unless the employer can demonstrate that the employee's absence will:
Adversely impact the public health and safety;
Cause significant economic or operational disruption to the employer, as determined by the Department of Labor and Licensing.
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The bill notes that it does not prohibit the employer from granting all employees, veterans and non-veterans alike, the entire day off on Veterans Day as a paid holiday.
HB1792 was supported by Senator Breanne Davis (R-Russellville) and co-sponsored by Senator David Wallace (R-Leachville).
The bill was read in the House chambers and then read a second time to be referred to the Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.
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