Committee advances parental‑leave bill for education and state employees

Senate Bill 199, a parental‑leave measure that would extend paid leave to education and state employees after childbirth, miscarriage or adoption, was given a favorable committee report.

The bill, introduced to the House committee by Senator Figures, defines covered events to include live births, stillbirths, adoption and miscarriages occurring at or after 12 weeks if verified by a health‑care professional. The sponsor said the bill “gives the mother 6 weeks out, and it gives the father 2 weeks,” and that adopted parents could allocate the 8 weeks and 2 weeks between them.

Committee members said a Senate amendment added community colleges and other state education entities. Senator Figures told the committee the measure combines separate proposals that previously would have applied only to state employees or only to education employees; the amendment added public education employees to the state coverage. Representative Shavers and other members were listed among backers in committee discussion. Representative Drummond moved to give the bill a favorable report; the motion was seconded and approved.

The sponsor thanked colleagues for support and noted cosponsorship in the Senate and assistance from House members who previously advanced companion bills.

The committee did not vote on final passage; the favorable report sends the bill forward for further consideration on the floor.

The committee record shows no change in the bill’s effective date or further appropriations in this hearing; any fiscal details would appear on later committee or floor filings.