ATLANTA – Government employees and teachers can take up to three weeks of paid parental leave under the law that Governor Brian Kemp signed on Wednesday.
The bill, which passed unanimously by the Georgia Senate and approved by State House of Representatives 153-8, will benefit approximately 246,000 state employees and teachers. It applies to parents after the birth of their own child, an adopted child or a foster home.
“By ensuring government employees can take paid parental leave, we are sending a strong, clear signal that Georgia values every business, company, and job creator,” Kemp said during a signing ceremony at the state capitol.
Legislation was introduced last year as a top priority for House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge. It appeared to be on its way before the coronavirus pandemic forced the General Assembly to take a three-month hiatus.
But when lawmakers returned to the Gold Dome in June last year to complete the 2020 legislature, the Senate removed paid parental leave from the bill, replacing a move to cut lawmakers’ salaries. The House refused to endorse the change and the bill had to wait until that year.
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Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens, the bill’s main sponsor, noted on Wednesday that Ivanka, daughter of then-President Donald Trump, who pushed for paid family vacation nationally, was behind and in Georgia law making last year helped to gain momentum.
Gaines said he had received a deluge of emails and texts from parents who supported the measure.
“House Bill 146 is a work, life, and family friendly bill that will make a significant difference to Georgia families,” he said.
Under the measure, full-time employees are entitled to paid parental leave after six months of employment.
