ATLANTA – One plan The General Assembly managed to give Georgia government employees, teachers, and university employees three weeks of paid parental leave.
The House voted Monday to approve the Senate changes to House Bill 146 and sent them to Governor Brian Kemp for signature or veto.
Nearly 250,000 government employees, universities and K-12 schools would be entitled to leave after childbirth, adoption or care.
House Speaker David Ralston, a Republican with Blue Ridge, has made the move one of his priorities. A similar bill was nearly passed last year but failed on the last day of the Senate session.
Currently, Georgia state employees are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid vacation as required by federal law.
Both mothers and fathers could take advantage of the vacation. An employee would qualify after six months of continuous employment with a government agency, college, or school.
The measure does not apply to the care of sick family members or to personal medical problems. It also does not apply to private employers.
