Md. Code Regs. 17.04.11.21

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 17.04.11.21 - Release Time for Attendance at Employee Organization Events

A. An employee organization authorized to collect dues by check-off may request that its member employees be released to attend employee organization events approved for this purpose by the Secretary.

B. The total amount of release time for an organization event during a fiscal year:

(1) For an organization that is an exclusive bargaining representative, shall be 1 day for every 15 employees who are on dues check-off as of July 1 of that fiscal year;

(2) For an organization that is not an exclusive bargaining representative, may not exceed 1 day for every 20 employees who are on dues check-off as of July 1 of that fiscal year.

C. Release time may not be used in increments of less than 1 hour.

D. All requests for release time shall be made at least 30 days in advance of the event and shall include:

(1) The names of employee members to be granted release time and the units of State government which employ them;

(2) The purpose and a general description of the event;

(3) The place and date of the event; and

(4) Any other information that the Secretary may require.

E. The Secretary shall review the request and, if appropriate, shall respond within 10 days of receiving the representative's request.

F. If the Secretary approves a request, the Secretary shall notify the appointing authority of employee members for whom release time has been approved.

G. The appointing authority may approve release time from normal duties if, in the discretion of the appointing authority, the employee's service can be spared without impairing the services of the unit. At any time before the approved date, an employee organization may request permission to substitute employee members for those previously granted release time. An employee organization may request permission to substitute new dates for previously approved dates of release time. The appointing authority may approve the substitutions if the substitutions do not impair the services of the unit.

H. The employee organization shall submit to the Secretary a list of all employee members attending the event within 30 days after the event.

Md. Code Regs. 17.04.11.21

Regulation .21 amended effective August 24, 1998 (25:17 Md. R. 1361); July 1, 2000 (27:12 Md. R. 1142)