Page 174 - An Indispensible Resource for Being a Credible Activist

KANSAS

Discharge. Employers are now prohibited from terminating any employee because the
employee serves as a volunteer firefighter, volunteer certified emergency medical services
attendant, volunteer reserve law enforcement officer, or volunteer part-time law enforce-
ment officer. The protection does not apply to full-time firefighters or law enforcement offi-
cers who volunteer as emergency medical services attendants, to firefighters, or to law
enforcement officers.
Equal employment opportunity. An amendment of the State Age Discrimination in
Employment Act increased the age of protection from 18 years to 40 years.

KENTUCKY

Immigrant protections. The State Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards is
required to implement a voluntary statewide certified volunteer firefighter identification pro-
gram. The program shall issue a color photo non-driver’s identification card to all certified
volunteer firefighters. Applicants for the card shall provide proof that they are citizens of the
United States, permanent residents of the United States, or otherwise lawfully present in the
United States. The commission is to promulgate administrative regulations to establish the
standards of proof for citizenship or legal status of an applicant.
Minimum wage. Because of requirements included in legislation that was previously
enacted, the State minimum wage was increased to $6.55 per hour on July 1, 2008.

LOUISIANA

Child labor. The State child labor statutes were amended to provide for the employment,
under certain conditions, of minors 12 and 13 years of age. Minors under 14 years may be
employed if all of the following conditions are met: (1) the minor must be at least 12 years
of age; (2) the minor’s parent or legal guardian is an owner or partner in the business in
which the minor is employed; (3) the minor shall work only under the direct supervision of
the parent or legal guardian who owns or is a partner in the business; (4) all of the protec-
tions afforded to minors between 14 and 15 years of age shall be afforded to minors 12 and
13 years of age; and (5) the minor obtains an employment certificate pursuant to State law.
Drug and alcohol testing. The State amended statutes concerning the provisions for
drug testing of certain public employees by certain public employers of parishes and munici-
palities. The legislation modifies the following definitions, among others: “public vehicle,” to
include any motor vehicle, watercraft, aircraft, or rail vehicle owned or controlled by the State
or by a local governmental subdivision that has adopted an ordinance; and “public employer,”
to mean the State and any local governmental subdivision that has adopted any ordinance,
provided that the subdivision is a public employer for that purpose. Legislation was enacted
that amended the provisions for drug testing at refining or chemical-manufacturing facilities
to allow certain people involved in construction, maintenance, or manufacturing to reduce or
modify the initial cutoff level of 50 nanograms per millimeter for marijuana testing. This

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