Bill > S0010

This bill amends South Carolina's state employee parental leave policies by significantly increasing the number of weeks of paid parental leave. Specifically, the bill doubles the existing paid parental leave from six to twelve weeks for employees who give birth and from two to four weeks for other eligible employees (such as non-birthing parents or adoptive parents). The bill defines an eligible state employee as anyone occupying any percentage of a full-time equivalent position and clarifies that a child can have no more than two parents eligible for paid parental leave. The paid leave is at 100% of the employee's base pay and prorated for part-time employees. Key provisions include that the leave must be used within twelve months of the qualifying event (birth or adoption), cannot be donated or accumulated, and runs concurrently with other leave types like the Family Medical and Leave Act. The leave does not deduct from the employee's annual or sick leave balance, and employees continue to accrue leave at their normal rate while on parental leave. The Division of Human Resources will be responsible for creating regulations to implement these changes, and the bill will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Budget and Finance

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=10&session=126&summary=B