Latest news with #AlabamaPublicEmployeePaidParentalLeaveActof2025
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama's paid parental leave law is a monumental step—now let's make it for everyone
Big news for parents in Alabama. The state just did something big: It recognized, officially and legislatively, that when parents are given time to bond with a new baby, to grieve a loss, or to settle into the whirlwind of adoption, everybody wins. Governor Kay Ivey signed SB199, the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025, into law this week, establishing paid parental leave for public employees—including teachers and state workers. 'In Alabama, we are committed to strengthening families and supporting those who serve our state,' said Governor Ivey, as reported by the Alabama Politcal Reporter. 'This new law reflects our values. No parent should have to choose between their paycheck and spending time with their newly welcomed child. Today, Alabama sends a clear message: We value families, and we value our workforce.' Here's what the law delivers: 8 weeks of paid leave for female employees after childbirth, miscarriage, or stillbirth. 2 weeks for male employees in those same circumstances. For adoptive parents of children under 3, each eligible parent is entitled to 8 weeks of paid parental leave, subject to limitations. If both adoptive parents are eligible employees, one gets 8 weeks of leave, and the other gets 2 weeks. Employees must return to work for at least 8 weeks after taking leave, unless exceptions apply (e.g., serious health conditions). Let's be clear: this policy is a major milestone. A state put into law what OBGYNs, pediatricians, and plenty of exhausted moms have known forever: when new mothers are supported, children thrive, parents stay in the workforce, and communities get stronger. But here's the thing—in our view, if it's good for public employees, it's good for everyone. Related: The U.S. is way behind in paid parental leave–but these 6 companies offer generous policies Gov. Ivey put it simply: 'No parent should have to choose between their paycheck and spending time with their newly welcomed child.' Yet the majority of new moms in America today do not have access to paid maternity leave. It's out of touch. And it's inhumane. Paid leave improves maternal health outcomes, increases the likelihood that both parents bond with their child, and boosts retention for employers. It's not just humane—it's smart policy. So why is this only available to state workers? Families in hospitality, retail, restaurants, gig work, small businesses—they all welcome babies. They all face postpartum challenges. They all deserve to not have to choose between a paycheck and holding their newborn. Alabama's new law is proof that change is possible, even in places that haven't always been at the forefront of family policy. It's a big deal—and it should be a starting point, not a stopping point. Because if we're serious about valuing families, we have to support all of them. Whether you wear a government badge or an apron, a lanyard or scrubs—you deserve the chance to show up for your family without sacrificing your livelihood. Let's celebrate this moment. But let's also keep going. Related: It's science: paid parental leave is good for baby's developing brain
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Historic law now grants paid parental leave for teachers and state employees
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) –A historic bill was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey, giving teachers and state employees more time at home with their newest editions to the family, without taking a hit to their bank accounts. On Wednesday, the governor signed the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025 into law. Teachers and state employees will now be offered up to eight weeks of maternity leave and two weeks of paternity leave after the birth, stillbirth, or miscarriage of a child. Adoptive parents of a three or younger child will also be eligible for eight weeks for one parent and two weeks for the other. The parents will make this choice at their discretion. 'This new law reflects our values. No parent should have to choose between their paycheck and spending time with their newly welcomed child. Today, Alabama sends a clear message: We value families, and we value our workforce,' said Gov Ivey. This new law also includes a return-to-work provision. This requires employees to return to work for at least eight weeks after taking leave, except in circumstances such as serious health conditions. Sen. Vivian Figures and Rep. Ginny Shaver sponsored the law. 'Paid leave is an essential tool for workforce and economic growth, providing education and state employees with the opportunity to care for their newborn or newly adopted child without worrying about unnecessary financial strain,' said Sen. Figures. The new law will go into effect on July 1, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Kay Ivey signs bill giving paid parental leave to state, public school employees
Rep. Ginny Shaver (left), R-Leesburg, and Sen. Vivian Figures (right), D-Mobile, laughing in the House press room at the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 20, 2025. Ivey signed the pair's legislation to give eight weeks of parental leave to state employees and educators. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) Gov. Kay Ivey Wednesday signed a bill giving public school educators and state employees paid parental leave. SB 199, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, allows women who give birth, have a stillbirth, or a miscarriage after 12 weeks to receive eight weeks of paid leave. It also allows the father to take two weeks of paid leave under those circumstances. If a couple adopts a child under three years old, either parent may have eight weeks of leave if they are both eligible employees. 'No parent should have to choose between their paycheck and spending time with their newly welcomed child,' Ivey said in a statement. 'Today, Alabama sends a clear message: We value families, and we value our workforce.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The law, named the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025, will go into effect on July 1. The legislation passed the House 94-2 on March 20. The two votes against it were male representatives that claimed parents could use their accrued sick leave or 'catastrophic' sick leave for parental leave. According to the Alabama State Department of Education, teachers earn one sick day per month for 10 months. Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, a longtime supporter of paid parental leave who carried Figures' bill in the House, said during debate on the House floor last month that it takes more than 10 days to recover from having a baby. 'Having a baby is a normal function. The catastrophic leave is for that, catastrophic and for unusual circumstances,' Shaver said in March. The legislation does not make parental leave an accruable benefit. According to the Legislative Services Agency, the leave will cost $10,750 for parents that take eight weeks and $2,600 for those that take two weeks. Figures sponsored a bill last year for educators that was changed to remove male employees' leave and leave in the case of a miscarriage and stillborn. The Senate passed the bill, but then-Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, prevented it from being sent to the House, something any senator can do after the 26th legislative day. 'Paid leave is an essential tool for workforce and economic growth, providing education and state employees with the opportunity to care for their newborn or newly adopted child without worrying about unnecessary financial strain,' Figures said in a statement. According to the statement, providing paid parental leave to public employees was a recommendation included in the Final Report of the Governor's Study Group on Efficiency in State Government as a way to increase the recruitment and retention of public employees. 'This is a proud day for Alabama families, and I want to thank Sen. Vivian Figures and Rep. Ginny Shaver for championing this effort from the very start,' Ivey said. Shaver sponsored the House version of the bill. She echoed Ivey that the bill supports Alabama's values. 'By providing paid parental leave for state employees and education employees, we are not only recognizing the fundamental importance of family, but also investing in the well-being and stability of our workforce,' Shaver said in a statement. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama lawmakers approve paid parental leave for teachers and state employees
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025 now awaits the signature of Governor Kay Ivey after passing in the Alabama House Thursday. The bill had already passed in the Alabama Senate. The legislation would offer up to eight weeks of maternity leave and two weeks of paternity leave after the birth, stillbirth or miscarriage of a child for teachers and state employees. Person arrested after allegedly driving onto school grounds while intoxicated in Leeds Women's Foundation of Alabama sent out a news release Thursday calling it a 'historic paid leave win for Alabama families!' The WFA wrote in part 'This historic win was made possible by the leadership of Senator Vivian Davis Figures (D-Mobile) and Representative Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg)..and the lawmakers who voted in support…' Senator Figures is a co-sponsor of the bill. In an Associated Press article, she is quoted as saying the bill would give mothers time to heal after pregnancy, improve education, and help the state 'recruit the personnel we need to be able to retain them.' Currently, state employees have to use sick leave and unpaid time off if they want to stay home after a child's birth. According to WFA, 'nearly 60% of state employees and 80% of teachers,' are women. LaShundra Pinkard is the interim President and CEO of Women's Foundation of Alabama, which advocated for paid parental leave with other organizations across the state. In the release, Pinkard stated that the issue of paid leave has been a core priority for Women's Foundation of Alabama since 2022. Governor Ivey is expected to sign the legislation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
