New COVID-19 Leave

Dear BCDSS Staff:

Beginning on November 3, 2021 (Nov. 10th for contractuals) through December 31, 2021, vaccinated employees or those with valid vaccine exemptions who test positive for COVID-19 using a PCR (non-rapid) test are eligible for up to 10 days (no more than 80 hours) of COVID-19 leave to use in place of an employee’s own leave or leave without pay to recover from COVID-19. This leave is available to State regular, temporary and contractual employees of the State Personnel Management System (SPMS) or the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).

To receive the leave, employees must:

• be fully vaccinated prior to usage of COVID-19 leave (i.e. received 2 doses of Pfizer/Moderna, or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson, in addition to any required boosters);
• provide proof of vaccination or proof of vaccine exemption to HR before leave will be approved;
• provide a positive PCR, non-rapid test result for COVID-19; and
• submit required documentation to HR by the end of the pay period that follows the pay period employee is requesting COVID-19 leave. (Timekeepers will restore previously recorded leave and record use of COVID-19 leave after required documentation has been submitted. Timekeepers will not make adjustments for employees who do not turn in required documents by the end of the pay period following the pay period leave is requested.)

Additionally:

• COVID-19 leave must be taken consecutively and used in full-day blocks; however, an employee is not required to use all 10 days at once.
• COVID-19 leave is only available to employees who have tested positive using a PCR (non-rapid) test and are recovering from COVID-19. Employees may not use this leave to care for a member of their household, or for childcare purposes.

To request the leave, please email the required documentation to HR Health Benefits staff:

Dorothy Kennedy - dorothy.kennedy@maryland.gov - 443-842-3982

Marlo Coates - marlo.coates@maryland.gov - 443-842-3978

Devona Farrow - devona.farrow@maryland.gov  - 443-842-3807

Robin McCauley - robin.mccauley@maryland.gov - 443-842-3939

Please see the links below for the Form, FAQs and more information.

Link to the COVID-19 Leave Policy

https://dbm.maryland.gov/employees/Pages/COVID-19%20Leave.aspx

Link to FAQs

https://dbm.maryland.gov/employees/Documents/Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%20about%20Covid%2019%20Leave.pdf

Link to the Form

https://dbm.maryland.gov/employees/Documents/COVID-19%20Leave%20Request%20Form.pdf