Bill > HB1118

This bill establishes a new benefit for certain Georgia public employees, providing 120 hours of paid maternal birth leave for eligible employees who experience a qualifying life event, defined as giving birth. This leave is intended for recuperation and must be taken within the three weeks immediately following the birth, before any other paid parental leave. Eligibility is extended to full-time employees of state government branches or local education agencies (school districts) who have been employed for at least six continuous months, with hourly employees needing to have worked a minimum of 700 hours in the preceding six months. The bill also mandates that the State Accounting Office update its systems by October 1, 2026, to include maternal birth leave as a new benefit category, and requires employing entities to establish rules for administering this leave, including whether it runs concurrently with federal leave and what documentation is needed. Importantly, employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for using this leave, though adverse actions are permitted if an employee provides false information to obtain the benefit. If a paid state holiday falls within the maternal birth leave period, the employee will only be compensated for the holiday. Employers must also notify eligible employees about this benefit upon hiring and annually thereafter.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72672