Council adopts ordinance granting paid mental‑health leave to full‑time classified employees of Birmingham Fire and Rescue

The Birmingham City Council voted March 31 to adopt an ordinance adding section 2‑4‑18 to the city’s general code to establish paid mental‑health leave for full‑time classified employees, including members of Birmingham Fire and Rescue.

Council President (the presiding officer) described the item as a permanent operation that required a recorded vote. The clerk opened voting and recorded the measure as passed; the clerk noted Council member Woods was absent for that vote.

Why it matters: Councilors framed the ordinance as an employee benefit designed to support first responders and other full‑time classified staff who may need mental‑health time away from work. Implementation details and effective date were not fully read into the record at the time of passage; staff will add operational guidance and administrative rules to the personnel code.