Illinois has enacted legislation that amends the state’s Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act to also entitle part-time employees to paid organ donation leave. The change is a result of the enactment of House Bill 1616 and becomes effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The Details

Prior to House Bill 1616, the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act required employers with more than 50 employees to provide up to 10 days of paid leave in any 12-month period so that full-time employees may serve as an organ donor.

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, House Bill 1616 amends the law so that part-time employees will also be entitled to 10 days of paid leave for organ donation, provided they work for an employer with more than 50 employees. Like full-time employees, part-time employees may use the leave only after obtaining approval from the employer.

 For part-time employees using leave to serve as an organ donor, the employer must calculate the daily average pay the part-time employee received during their previous months of employment and compensate the part-time employee in the amount of the daily average pay for the leave days used.

 Note: The Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act also requires employers with more than 50 employees to provide paid leave to full-time employees for blood donation. House Bill 1616 didn’t extend this entitlement to part-time employees.

Next Steps

Review policies, practices and training to ensure compliance with the amended law.