The Mountlake Terrace City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday night authorizing a policy that allows employees to receive up to two unpaid holidays per calendar year, per a new state law.

Last year the state Legislature passed a bill that provides employees of local government entities with two unpaid holidays per calendar year for “a reason of faith or conscience or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or religious organization.”

The bill requires local governments to grant the request unless the absence would impose an “undue hardship” or the employee’s presence is necessary to maintain public safety.The bill would apply to both union and non-represented employees. City staff said that the City has yet to hear back from the unions as to whether they wish to bargain over the policy.