A new law signed by Gov. Josh Stein this week expands the amount of paid parental leave available to state employees and public school employees.
Under the Public Workforce Modernization Act, eligible full-time employees will be able to receive 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Part-time employees can receive a pro-rated amount of leave.
Prior to this, teachers and state employees received either four or eight weeks of paid leave depending on whether or not they gave birth. Birthing parents received twice the amount of paid leave, to include time for their own recuperation.
Advocates for children and families are celebrating the new law. Tina Sherman of MomsRising said it's a critical benefit for not only mothers who give birth, but also their partners.
"Studies have shown that when both parents are engaged, have access to that leave, it benefits the entire family," Sherman said.
Studies that looked at California's expansion of paid family leave linked it to increased engagement of fathers, improved mental health for mothers, longer periods of breastfeeding, and lower infant mortality.
The new law takes effect Oct. 1, but it is not yet clear what the deadline will be for a birth, adoption, or placement of a child to qualify for the expanded leave.
The State Human Resources Commission will set more specific rules for the leave policy. Then the UNC System, the Community College System, other state agencies and local...
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