State Rep. Ron Robinson (R-Utica) recently testified before the House Committee on Government Operations in support of his bipartisan bill package designed to support first responders and their families.

“I’ve been in their shoes, and I know the challenges that come with serving,” said Robinson. “These bills make sure our first responders who also serve in the Guard or Reserves aren’t forced to sacrifice their pay or personal time. We owe it to them to remove unnecessary obstacles while they answer the call of duty.”

House Bills 5232 and 5233 would require organized police departments and fire departments to provide up to 26 days of paid military leave per year before requiring employees to use their personal leave time. Currently, when an officer or firefighter runs out of personal leave but still has military obligations, they must take unpaid time off.

“These men and women serve our communities every day, and they also serve our country,” said Robinson. “It doesn’t sit right with me that they have to dip into vacation or personal time to fulfill their military obligations. Our servicemen and servicewomen already spend significant time away from home. Their vacation days should be for family and rest, not reporting for drill.”