(photo: Ana Tablas/Unsplash)
The Louisiana Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would give teachers and other public school employees six weeks of paid parental leave after giving birth, adopting or fostering a child. Shreveport Senator Sam Jenkins is the author of the legislation.
“We signed the bill because we want to make sure that we’re retaining teachers, and we’re keeping good teachers here in Louisiana and in the classroom,” Jenkins explained.
Jenkins is glad to see both Democrats and Republicans are behind this bill and teachers will appreciate it.
“They want to be good at their jobs. But at the same time, they want time with their families, especially if it’s a newborn child coming in or adopting a new child,” Jenkins said.
Currently teachers have to use sick days or take partially paid leave to spend time with a new child. Jenkins says that is not right.
“Giving birth to a child, or bonding with a child for adoption or foster care, should not be identified as an illness,” Jenkins noted.
The measure heads to the House as it needs approval from the lower chamber too. When John Bel Edwards was governor, the legislature approved a law that gave six weeks of paid family leave to state employees.
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