SECTION 1. There shall be established an employee vacation and earned sick leave credit task force to study and make recommendations on establishing a uniform state policy regarding the cash out of vacation and sick leave credits applicable to employees of the commonwealth who are in positions that are not subject to collective bargaining agreements.  The task force shall be comprised of the following 11 members or their designees:  the secretary of administration and finance who shall serve as chair; the administrator of the trial court; the colonel of state police; the chair of the board of higher education; 1 person to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 person to be appointed by the senate president; 1 person to be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 person to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and 3 persons to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall have experience in labor law.

The task force shall study and make recommendations on establishing the following uniform policies and shall examine the practices of neighboring states:  (i) rate of accrued sick leave; (ii) cash out of sick leave credit upon retirement; (iii) payment of sick leave credits upon the death of an employee; and (iv) transfer of sick leave credits from other political subdivisions of the commonwealth.  In addition, the task force shall study the feasibility of establishing an extended illness leave bank for all employees of the commonwealth.

The task force shall convene not later than 30 days after the effective date of this act and shall file its recommendations with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate not later than December 31, 2017.