‘This is pro-family legislation.’ SC teachers may soon be able to take paid parental leave
Teachers and other full-time school district employees may soon be able to take paid time off after the birth of a child.
The state Senate Thursday approved a six weeks of paid parental leave policy for school district employees if they give birth to a child. If the employee is a co-parent, such as the father, who did not give birth he or she would receive two weeks paid leave.
The bill also gives six weeks of paid leave for the adoption of a child for the primary parent. Two weeks of paid leave would be allowed for the co-parent of an adopted child and when a foster child is placed in someone’s care.
Lawmakers opted to mirror a policy for state employees that was put into place last year. The new policy would apply to all full time school district employees, not just teachers.
“It’s a huge thing because everyone in a school building as an educator, and every individual within a building, has an important role in making sure that our children are able to reach their full potential,” said Patrick Kelly, the director of governmental affairs for the Palmetto State Teachers Association. “So whether you work in the cafeteria, whether you’re driving the bus, those are the individuals that build the relationships with kids that keep them engaged in school and give them a safe and nurturing environment where they can grow and learn.”
Rock Hill Schools, Spartanburg 5, Spartanburg 6, Florence 2 and Florence 1 already have paid parental leave policies. Proponents of the bill say providing paid parental leave would help ensure better outcomes for children and help recruit teachers and keep teachers in the profession amid a growing teacher shortage in the state.
“This makes us a national leader in this space,” Kelly said. “This is pro-family legislation and it is only appropriate that our state provide the opportunity to our educators to care for their own children while continuing to serve the children of our state.”
Because substitute teacher pay rates vary from district to district, providing paid leave would cost districts anywhere from $2,400 to $8,000 per occurrence, according to the state Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office.
The legislation goes back to the House after a change by the Senate to allow school districts the option to extend the paid leave if the teacher had a child toward the end of the school year and was unable to use up the full six weeks.
“The key to this bill is ensuring that new parents have the time with their babies that research shows is essential to the development and growth of that child,” Kelly said. “This is going to afford that opportunity for that family.”
