Vermont H. 551: An act relating to flags and flag-flying protocol

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.551
2026 Page 1 of 2

VT LEG #385668 v.1
H.551 1
Introduced by Representative Casey of Montpelier 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Labor; employment practices; minimum wages; overtime; firefighters 5
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require 6
overtime pay for firefighters for hours worked in excess of 42 hours a week. 7
An act relating to overtime pay for firefighters 8
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 9
Sec. 1. 21 V.S.A. chapter 5, subchapter 3 is redesignated to read: 10
Subchapter 3. Minimum Wages and Overtime Pay 11
Sec. 2. 21 V.S.A. § 388 is added to read: 12
§ 388. OVERTIME PAY FOR FIREFIGHTERS 13
(a) No State, municipal, or county fire department shall employ any full-14
time firefighter, as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 3151(4), excluding civilian 15
employees, for an average workweek longer than 42 hours unless the 16
firefighter is compensated at the rate of one and one-half times the firefighter’s 17
regular wage rate for all hours worked in excess of 42 hours based upon an 18
average workweek. 19

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.551
2026 Page 2 of 2

VT LEG #385668 v.1
(b) An average workweek shall be calculated using the prior eight-week 1
period, based upon a seven-day workweek. 2
(c) For the purposes of this section, “hours worked” includes all paid leave. 3
Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026. 5