LANSING – State Representative Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard) today announced that the House has 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.
"It is our duty to stand by our military families in their time of greatest need," McDowell said. "Being patriotic involves more than waving a flag – it means supporting those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Our troops and their families need to know that we support them, and this legislation does just that."
"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. Brown's 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.
McDowell 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.
"Our military families often do not even know when their loved one's remains will be returned to them, and are unable to make funeral arrangements for a week or more," McDowell said. "During this sad and stressful time, these families need to know that their next paycheck is still coming and their jobs are safe."