House to take up paid parental leave for state workers
Nearly 250,000 state employees, including 132,000 educators, would be able to take up to three weeks of paid parental leave under legislation introduced into the Georgia House of Representatives Tuesday,
March 2.
The bill would apply to parents following the birth of a child of their own, an adopted child or a foster-care placement. It’s modeled after a policy the House adopted for its employees last summer and since embraced by the state Senate, House Speaker David Ralston said. Any state employee with six months of creditable service would be eligible, regardless of gender.
“We in the House believe in a culture of life in Georgia,” said Ralston, R-Blue Ridge. “That includes giving families time to welcome new additions into their home.”
Rep. Houston Gaines, RAthens, the bill’s chief sponsor, said the measure also would help the state attract and retain quality employees. Many other states and private businesses offer parental paid leave to their employees.
“As we seek to recruit and retain the best and brightest employees to serve Georgia’s citizens, this is an important step in helping our employees maintain a healthy work-life balance,” Gaines said.
Ralston said setting paid parental leave at three weeks is an idea the House borrowed from some of Georgia’s biggest private companies, including Home Depot and Coca-Cola. He said he hopes smaller businesses will see what the state is doing and follow suit.
“Our goal is not to dictate to the private sector,” he said. “Hopefully, they will draw inspiration from this.”
If the General Assembly passes the bill and Gov. Brian Kemp signs it, the measure would take effect July 1.