A bill granting eight weeks of paid parental leave for teachers and state employees has been filed in the Alabama House of Representatives.
Gov. Kay Ivey mentioned the bill in her State of the State Address, touting it as a priority for her office.
"[I]f a teacher wants to start a family, she should have the proper maternity leave," Ivey said. "That is why I am proud to have Senator Vivian Figures and Representative Ginny Shaver joining forces this year to pass a good, responsible parental leave bill to support both our state workers and teachers."
The bill has two versions: one in the Senate by State Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile) and one in the House, House Bill 309 (HB309), sponsored by State Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg).
HB309 would provide certain state employees with eight weeks of paid parental leave following the birth of a child or the placement of a child under one year old with a state employee for adoption. It would also allow spouses who work within the same state agencies with eight combined weeks of paid leave, with certain exceptions.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit and retain quality classroom teachers and state employees who are willing to build long careers in public service," Shaver said. "This parental leave legislation will provide state employees and teachers with the opportunity to properly bond with their children without the added stress of worrying about their jobs."
The bill would allow parental leave to be used intermittently, provided the qualifying event occurs within a year of the leave being taken.
Spouses of state employees are entitled to a combined total of eight weeks of paid leave. Each spouse would be eligible for eight weeks of paid leave each, regardless of whether or not they work in the same agency, if the child or mother is "seriously ill."
Any state employer must also maintain an employee's health coverage for the duration of the parental leave.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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