Senate narrows paid parental leave to six weeks, approves bill after floor votes

The Mississippi Senate approved a paid parental leave measure that provides six weeks of paid leave to eligible state employees, after a floor substitute and amendments reconciled differences between the House and Senate versions.

Senator Wiggins, explaining the committee amendment, said the Senate version initially proposed six weeks while the House had eight; the floor substitute adopted during debate brought the measure into the Senate’s six‑week framework. Supporters pointed to neighboring states that have enacted paid parental leave, noting Arkansas (12 weeks), Florida (7 weeks) and Texas (8 weeks) among recent examples. Advocates argued the policy improves workforce recruitment and retention for state government.

The enacted language includes conforming changes: it removes “secondary caregiver” definitions from the House text, clarifies application to school districts in certain provisions, and preserves a mechanism for agency implementation without additional immediate appropriations. Senators said a fiscal review indicated no supplemental appropriation was required for the Senate version.

The Senate passed the amended bill by roll call after several senators announced no votes. Supporters urged swift implementation; critics urged caution and incremental approaches. The bill now moves forward under the legislature’s usual process.