MADISON - Employers would have to allow employees who are volunteer firefighters to be absent from work if they're responding to an emergency, under a bill introduced today by a Racine County lawmaker.

Current law requires employers to grant a leave of absence without pay to employees for certain purposes: to vote; serve as an election official; serve on a jury; and testify in a criminal proceeding.

Rep. Scott Gunderson, R-Waterford, introduced a bill that would extend that right to employees who are volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians, first responders, or ambulance drivers as long as they're responding to an emergency.

The bill requires employees to notify an employer that they serve as a rescue worker, among other things. It also gives employees the right to file complaints with the Department of Workforce Development if they believe their employer has violated their right to serve in such a position.

Gunderson's bill has the support of most other Racine-area lawmakers.