Alabama House votes to give paid parental leave to state employees

Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, describes a bill to extend parental leave to state employees on March 21, 2024 in the Alabama House of Representatives at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday approved a bill that would extend up to eight weeks of parental leave to state employees.

HB 309, sponsored by Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, would provide up to eight weeks for parents for the birth of a child or adoption of a child under the age of three. Shaver said Thursday the legislation aims to address the state’s 20-year high turnover rate in state employees and attract workforce.

“We’ve been hearing lately and heard it again this morning — about how low Alabama workforce participation rate is, and how hard it is for employers to find good quality employees and hire employees,” she said. “In the state of Alabama, hiring employees is no different.”

The bill passed the House 98-0.

Currently, state employees can take sick leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows employees to take unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons.

Parents would receive 100% of their pay under the bill, and they would continue to receive benefits, such as health insurance and retirement.

An amendment was added on the House floor that would make the bill effective immediately after the governor’s signature. The previous version would have made the bill effective on January 1, 2025.

“I’m glad you’re doing this,” said Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, who offered the amendment. “This is something we should have done a long time ago.”

Shaver warned the State of Alabama Personnel Department may need time to develop forms and rules after the bill becomes effective.

“It might be a little bit difficult for Personnel. They’re going to really have to hustle to get things in place, but I think we do need to get this benefit in place,” Shaver said.

Parental leave would not roll over; could not be donated, and employees wouldn’t be able to be paid for unused parental leave if they leave the job. Employees would be able to use parental leave before tapping into their sick leave or FMLA.

A fiscal note with the legislation said that the bill could increase costs by up to $8,600 for each employee who takes eight weeks of parental leave. It would also potentially increase spending by an undetermined amount if the agency has to backfill any positions for employees using leave, according to the bill.

The bill has the support of the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA).

Rep. Debbie Wood, R-Valley, who spoke in favor of the bill, said she is working on a similar bill to give teachers parental leave as well. She said the state also has issues retaining teachers, and she’s glad that they are starting the conversation.

“I want this to be something that we pass for our educators as well, so I hope everybody’s listening to that because we are working on it,” Wood said.

The legislation moves to the Senate.

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