Job-protected leave for National Guard and reserve members now applies to any military training rather than only camps, drills and similar events, and public employees' leave covers active duty and other duty under orders, not just training, with the existing yearly pay limits unchanged.
Official title: leaves of absence; military training
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeEmployers could not refuse leave to National Guard or reserve members ordered to active duty or to attend camps, maneuvers, formations or armory drills.
NowEmployers may not refuse leave to National Guard or reserve members ordered to active duty or training.
BeforeState and local government employees in the Guard or reserves got leave without loss of time or efficiency rating on days of field training.
NowThey get this leave on all days they are under competent military orders.
BeforePaid leave for public employees covered days on training duty or at camps, maneuvers, formations or drills under orders with any branch or reserve of the U.S. armed forces.
NowPaid leave covers days spent following competent orders of the National Guard of Arizona or any other state, or the U.S. armed forces reserves, for active duty or training. The pay limit stays at up to 3 times the average weekly scheduled hours each year, and up to 6 times in any 2 consecutive years.
BeforePublic employees got paid leave for training duty with the National Disaster Medical System.
NowPublic employees get paid leave for any duty with the National Disaster Medical System.
BeforePublic employers had to grant leave for training duty or camps, maneuvers, formations or drills under orders with a U.S. armed forces auxiliary.
NowPublic employers must grant leave for duty under orders with a U.S. armed forces auxiliary. They still may, but do not have to, pay for this leave.
Who it affects
- Members of the National Guard of Arizona or other states
- Members of the U.S. armed forces reserves
- State, county, city and town employees who serve in the Guard, reserves, an armed forces auxiliary or the National Disaster Medical System
- Private and public employers
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- What counts as "training" or "competent orders" in practice
- Whether the change affects members of active-duty branches who are not in the Guard or reserves
- How employers will be told about the change
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.