Amendment to give deputies paid leave for donating organs gets OK

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Commissioners this morning approved an amendment to the contract with employees of the sheriff’s office giving employees who donate kidneys or parts of their liver 240 hours paid leave.

The move came as deputy sheriff Marcella Walters donated a kidney to fellow deputy sheriff John Marenkovic.

“We do a lot of things that are dangerous, but this is really and truly an act of selflessness and bravery,” Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene said.

The contract language mirrors a state law granting state employees who donate organs paid leave.