Bill > LB878

This bill establishes paid parental leave for eligible state employees in Nebraska, defining "parental leave" as paid time off to bond with a new child, whether through birth or adoption of a child under twelve months old. To be eligible, an employee must be permanent, have worked for the state for at least twelve months and 1,250 hours in the past year (or have this requirement waived), and be assuming a parental role. Full-time eligible employees will receive 240 hours of paid leave, while part-time employees will receive a proportional amount, which must be used within six months of the child's birth or adoption and generally cannot be taken intermittently unless medically necessary or agreed upon by both parties. This leave runs concurrently with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) but will not be deducted from an employee's existing sick, vacation, or compensatory leave balances, and unused leave will not be paid out upon termination. The state is required to ensure employees can return to their previous or an equivalent position after their leave, and employees will continue to receive benefits during this period, provided they pay their share of contributions. Furthermore, the state is prohibited from interfering with an employee's use of this leave or taking retaliatory action, such as dismissal or demotion, against them for doing so. The Department of Administrative Services will oversee the administration of this program, which is set to become operative on July 1, 2026, with an emergency clause indicating it takes effect upon passage and approval.