Posted on October 24, 2019
I would like to let local Civil Air Patrol (CAP) members know that, according to a new law that went into effect this summer, you must inform your employer that you are a CAP member by October 31, 2019 in order to be allowed to take time off to support CAP missions.
Public Act 19-95 prohibits employers from discriminating against, disciplining or discharging an employee because of their membership in the CAP; or if they are absent from work under certain circumstances as a member of the CAP.
This can be done by emailing or providing written notice to your employer (supervisor or human resources) dated on or before October 31, 2019. A suggested statement is as follows:
In compliance with Connecticut Act No. 19-95, AN ACT CONCERNING EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION FOR MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL AIR PATROL, I am informing you that I am a member in good standing of the Civil Air Patrol and subject to all protections of this Connecticut Public Act, enacted into law on July 8,2019. The key provision of the act states as follows:
“Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, an employer shall not discriminate against, discipline, or discharge an employee because: (1) The employee is a member of the civil air patrol; or (2) the employee is absent from work for the purpose of (A) responding as a member of the civil air patrol to an emergency declared by the Governor of this state or the President of the United States, (B) responding as a member of the civil air patrol to a request for assistance in an emergency, natural disaster or life-threatening event at the request of the United States Air Force or Coast Guard, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the state police or a local police department in this state, or (C) participating as a member of the civil air patrol in required emergency services training programs and exercises.”
Please place a copy of this notification in my permanent file.
Be sure to keep a copy of this notification in your personal records. If you change jobs, you are required to inform your new employer of your membership in CAP upon employment. New CAP members are required to inform their employers of CAP membership when they join.
Please pass this information along to fellow Civil Air Patrol members who would benefit from taking advantage of the act’s protections.