Sec. 177A.003.  LINE OF DUTY ILLNESS OR INJURY LEAVE OF ABSENCE.  (a)  A political subdivision shall provide to a firefighter, police officer, or emergency medical services personnel a leave of absence for an illness or injury related to the person's line of duty.  The leave is with full pay for a period commensurate with the nature of the line of duty illness or injury.  If necessary, the political subdivision shall continue the leave for at least one year.
(b)  At the end of the leave of absence under Subsection (a), the governing body of the political subdivision may extend the leave of absence at full or reduced pay.
(c)  If the firefighter, police officer, or emergency medical services personnel is temporarily disabled by a line of duty injury or illness and the leave of absence and any extension granted by the governing body has expired, the person may use accumulated sick leave, vacation time, and other accrued benefits before the person is placed on temporary leave.
(d)  If the leave of absence and any extension granted by the governing body has expired, a firefighter, police officer, or emergency medical services personnel who requires additional leave described by this section shall be placed on temporary leave.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 665 (H.B. 471), Sec. 1, eff. June 12, 2023.