Emergency services leave.(Payroll News and Views)

One of the positive results in the aftermath of last year's horrific hurricane season is that employers have become more accommodating to "first responders" and emergency services personnel. And some states are formalizing job protections by amending or adding emergency services leave laws.

Under Kentucky's new law (H.256, L. 2006), an employee who is absent from work because of injuries incurred in the line of duty as a volunteer firefighter, an emergency medical technician, a rescue squad member, a peace officer, or a member of an emergency management agency cannot be terminated. This job protection is in effect for absences of no more than 12 months.

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