Montgomery- A Bill is on it’s way to the desk of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey that will offer up to eight weeks of maternity leave and two weeks of paternity leave after the birth, stillbirth or miscarriage of a child for all certified and non certified local board of education employees and all state employees. The bill, The Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025  was passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Governor’s signature will make the bill into law. She has already stated her support and intent to sign the bill.

The Bill was jointly sponsored by Local Rep. Ginny Shaver R-Leesburg in the house, and Sen. Vivian figures D-Mobile in the Senate.

Allison Baulch King, the  Government Relations said of the bill passing the house:

“What a landmark day for public education in Alabama!

Paid Parental leave for state employees and education employees passed the full House today by a vote of 94-2 and heads to the Governor’s desk for her signature. We’re so thankful to the Alabama legislature for their support of this initiative, and extend a special thanks to Governor Ivey, Sen. Vivian Figures, Rep. Ginny Shaver, and Rep. Debbie Wood for leading the bi-partisan effort. The legislation grants 8 weeks of paid leave to mothers and 2 weeks to fathers for the birth, adoption, stillbirth, or miscarriage of their child.”

Governor Ivey had stated prior to the passing:

“Thank you to Rep. Ginny Shaver and Sen. Vivian Figures for carrying this important legislation. I look forward to receiving the bill and getting my signature on it.”

WEIS Radio News had the opportunity to talk to Representative Shaver on Friday morning regarding the passing of the bill:

“I am excited to have final passage on the paid parental leave act for state employees, and employees of local Boards of Education this year, half way into the session. We had it passes last year, almost, it was the first bill on the Senate calendar the last day, and they did not pass anything that day. So it died last year, but we continued to work the bill and I am happy to have it passed now.”

One of the push backs against the bill, was the argument from some, that teachers and state employees already had sick days. Republican Jim Carnes of Birmingham was one to make such an argument. We asked Representative Shaver why that was not sufficient and why this bill would be vital to the state employees of Alabama. She Responded:

“People have their children in their early years, in their child bearing years, so typically they have not been working long enough to build up enough sick time to be out the time that is needed whenever they have or adopt a baby and this provides that benefit. It is a recruitment and retention tool to show we care about employees and their families. It gives them time to recover from birth and also the time to properly bond with their newborn baby or child that is adopted. This will provide for more well-balanced children, happier families, more well adjusted families, and happier employees. “

We plan on having Representative Ginny Shaver on air live on Monday morning to discuss this, and other work she has been doing in Montgomery at 7:15. Make sure to tune into that, and we will continue to follow the sessions of the House and Senate and especially bills effecting us locally or sponsored by our local elected officials.